Transformers: 15 Autobots That Don't Appear in the Live

With so many Transformers making it to the big screen, you'd think the well had run dry, but here are 15 Autobots that haven't appeared yet.

Since 2007, the Transformers film franchise has brought the beloved toy and animation franchise into the real world. Dozens of Autobots and Decepticons, possibly even hundreds depending on if you include every unnamed individual in the massive battle sequences, have made it to the big screen in this action-packed series. Some of these characters only have passing cameos, with their names revealed in marketing material or by close analysis by fans. However, there are still plenty that have yet to receive any spotlight in the live-action franchise.

With so many characters in the Transformers franchise in its many iterations, it makes sense that some have been overlooked by the films' directors. Nevertheless, there are many fan favorites and some pivotal characters that aren't even mentioned in the series. Especially among the Autobots, there are many glaring omissions. This list covers 15 of the most important Autobots that have surprised fans with their absence. Buckle up, because it's time to roll out and build a roster of the Autobots that still need to make an appearance in the Transformers live-action films.

On the surface level, Blaster is essentially a recolor of Soundwave, the Decepticon famous for transforming into a boombox. While he has developed his own personality since then, it's hard to deny their similarities. Blaster is unique among the Autobots because he isn't just a passive observer of Earth's customs. He adores them, especially their music. This rock-and-roll loving robot can transform into a boombox and blast his favorite tunes to boost the morale of his fellow Autobots. However, don't discount this soldier's battle prowess. Blaster is a force on the battlefield, able to summon several miniature soldiers from the cassettes stored in his chest.

Blaster is far from the most famous Transformer on this list, but he might just be the most fun. Outside of Mirage and Bumblebee, the most comic relief we've gotten from the franchise has been from the human characters. However, Blaster could bring a much-needed element of fun to the franchise. Transformers focuses almost solely on the war between Autobots and Decepticons, but the source materials often show them in their downtime. They aren't just soldiers, but sentient beings with wants and needs. Blaster's appearance in the live-action films could show this more human side to the giant robots.

Sunstreaker is an incredible soldier, and he knows it. Exhibiting sociopathic tendencies, this Autobot isn't afraid to sing his own praises. Known to ignore the other soldiers dying around him, Sunstreaker pushes blindly towards his objectives in order to be seen as the great soldier he knows he is. The only reason Optimus Prime keeps him around is that he gets results, and because his brother Sideswipe speaks on his behalf. In fact, the only bot that Sunstreaker truly respects is his brother, and as his story continues on, he begins to emulate his brother, becoming a better soldier and person.

We have already seen Sideswipe in two Transformers movies: Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon. In those films, Sideswipe is brash and egotistical, acknowledging his skill at every possible moment. While this does match the source material to an extent, the holier-than-thou attitude the character exhibits more closely matches that of the character's brother. However, Sunstreaker would add an interesting dynamic to the Autobots in live action. Most of the characters we meet fall strictly on a black or white morality. The Autobots are the good guys, yet Sunstreaker would throw a wrench into that. He's still a heroic character, but one that cares more for his own self-image than his fellow soldiers.

Prowl has been around since the original Transformers toy line. Often transforming into a police car, Prowl is the military strategist for the Autobots, and his attitude befits that. Endlessly patient but strict and unyielding, Prowl may not be the most popular among the Autobot forces, but no one can deny he gets the job done. While some versions show him willing to go to any lengths to do his job (even mind-controlling one of his own), most versions of the character tolerate no injustice. Prowl is the ultimate example of an Autobot, purely devoted to the cause.

Among the notable Autobots, Prowl is one of the few with a specific reason for not appearing in the live-action films. In the first Transformers film, a Transformer with a police car alt-mode is seen fighting on the side of the Decepticons. The film's creators loved the idea of an evil police car Transformer so much that they went that direction instead of Prowl. Many fans might argue that you could have two police cars, one on each side (after all, there are two boomboxes), Prowl's absence at least makes sense. Going forward, though, this iconic character should at least get a passing mention in the film franchise.

Red Alert has taken many different forms across various Transformers media, but while some, like Transformers: Armada, showcase a seasoned warrior, most acknowledge that Red Alert's greatest attribute is his paranoia. As security chief for the Autobots, this fire-rescue vehicle Transformer is always on the lookout for the next threat, and sometimes, he's known for overreacting. Everything is a threat to this hyper-vigilant bot, and that makes the other Autobots a little wary of his constant warnings. While he may not be the most reliable at times, none can deny Red Alert's dedication to the Autobot cause.

Oddly enough, many of the original Transformers toy line characters haven't made it to the big screen. While simply a fire-rescue recolor of Sideswipe, Red Alert is still one of the oldest and most popular characters in the franchise, so it seems strange that he hasn't made the leap into live-action. A script for this character could lean into either iteration of his personality, the paranoid boy-who-cried-wolf or the super-soldier security officer, and he would be a great addition to a film. Admittedly, the prior would add a lot more personality to the big screen Robots-In-Disguise, but no matter what, this first-generation Autobot deserves a chance to make his mark.

Related: Every Transformers TV Series, Ranked

Cliffjumper is always ready for a fight. With an intense hatred of the Decepticons, this Autobot has been on the front lines of the war since its beginning. This battle-readiness has landed him in some hot water with his superiors. More than once, he's been responsible for some collateral damage on the battlefield, but in his mind, he only sees his tally of defeated Decepticons. Transforming into a sports car, Cliffjumper races onto the battlefield, though his excitement has led to him bursting his own tires on occasion.

As mentioned with Sunstreaker, the Autobots that we see in the live-action films are just so good, so heroic. There is very little sense of personality beyond small character quirks. Characters like Cliffjumper and Sunstreaker just haven't had their opportunity to shine yet. These characters have such unique views of the war. Cliffjumper almost sees the conflict as a game, his headcount acting as a point score. We even see a level of paranoia in him, with his hatred of the Decepticons forcing him to over examine his fellow Autobots as potential traitors. It's a fascinating depiction that could easily add some thrilling conflict to any of the live-action films.

Bulkhead is one of the newer Transformers on this list, making his original debut in 2004's Transformers: Energon. In that initial series, Bulkhead was a grizzled old veteran that had served the Autobot cause for millions of years. However, most people likely know Bulkhead as the lovable, dependable oaf from the Aligned continuity, consisting of Transformers: Prime, the War for Cybertron video games, and Robots in Disguise. In this series, Bulkhead was a member of the elite squad known as the Wreckers, and while he was an incredible soldier, it was his kind heart and desire to defend his new human friends that most fans remember.

You have to love a big bruiser character, and Bulkhead is the epitome of that concept (at least in the Aligned Continuity). The live-action films have shown a great deal of variation among the designs of the Autobot ranks, but outside of maybe Ironhide, there isn't really a character that could fit the role of the tank (figuratively; there are already a few literal tanks in the series). Bulkhead brings a lot of personality to the screen as well, meaning that the creators could take another step in humanizing these robotic characters.

If you thought Bulkhead was big, wait until you get a load of Omega Supreme. This massive, towering Titan-class Transformer that becomes a rocket base is the last-line of defense for the Autobots. If all else fails, if his allies are on the brink of defeat, Omega Supreme springs to life and decimates the Decepticon forces. This soldier is the last surviving member of Cybertron's Guardians, a group of Transformers responsible for defending the planet. Even as the last of his kind, though, Omega Supreme is a nightmare for the Decepticon forces, and an ever-looming threat.

In the first few Transformers films, it made sense why they didn't include Omega Supreme. Most of the Transformers were the same size and type, so a massive being like this character wouldn't have fit in very well. However, as things started getting bigger and crazier, especially with the arrival of Quintessa's massive spaceship in The Last Knight, the door has only opened that much wider for this giant Transformer to come through. An entire movie could even be centered around the Autobots trying to find this Titan to face some massive threat. Of course, if Unicron didn't bring Omega Supreme to the big screen, then it's possible we won't see him at all.

Kup is one of the oldest living Cybertronian, and this long life has given him a curmudgeonly attitude and a knack for warfare. He joined the Autobots at the beginning of the Cybertronian civil war, and since then, he has been a source for advice and strategy for the entire Autobot regime. Most of this advice comes in the form of old stories from Kup's early adventures as a story, and though those stories may change between tellings, they are filled with plenty of important lessons. Kup is especially close with the Dinobots, as he is one of the few Autobot leaders that they deeply respect.

Kup has had a bad run of things in the more recent comics, dying several times and even becoming a zombie at one point, but that doesn't change the fact that Kup has almost been around since the beginning. We've had a few Kup stand-ins, with Hound from Age of Extinction taking on the personality of the old soldier, but overall, fans of the OG The Transformers: The Movie have felt this character's absence. With Rise of the Beasts focusing more on older lore, now is the perfect time to introduce this old veteran to the live-action series.

Hot Shot is unique in that he is something of a combination of two important characters: Bumblebee and Hot Rod. Given licensing issues during the production of Transformers: Armada, Bumblebee in particular couldn't be included in the series. As such, Hot Shot was designed as a stand-in for both. He melds the comic relief and quick wit of Bumblebee's original character with the potential for leadership that Hot Rod is famous for. At one point in his initial series, Hot Shot is even granted the Matrix of Leadership by Optimus Prime, mirroring the story arc of Hot Rod, a.k.a. Rodimus Prime. He even changes his color scheme to more closely match that key Autobot character.

Hot Shot likely won't make an appearance in the live-action films. Both Hot Rod and Bumblebee have both contributed to the series, so it's likely that their amalgamation won't get the same spotlight. Nevertheless, Hot Shot is a fun character, acting as both humor and heart for the Autobot forces. The fact that he takes the reins of the entire Autobot war effort after Optimus' apparent death showcases the character's potential for a future film, even if that role would likely go to Bumblebee or Hot Rod instead. At the very least, Hot Shot needs to influence the future story arcs for both of these characters (if Hot Rod ever appears again).

Given the nature of 1980s toy lines, any series that had to do with vehicles needed the mainstays: the semi, the ambulance, the police car, and the fire truck. For Transformers, the original characters that represented these vehicles were Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Prowl, and Inferno. One of the original Transformers, Inferno is also one of the most dedicated. Whether it be fighting fires or participating in firefights, Inferno is always on the front lines, trying to reduce the loss of life. Paired with his friend Red Alert, Inferno is always ready for a rescue.

As stated with Red Alert, it really is strange that so many Autobots from the original toys have yet to make live-action appearances. With Inferno, it could be his character design that has kept him from the silver screen; compared to many Transformers, he looks a little goofy with his water cannon arm and his ladder helmet. However, there have been several Transformers on both sides of the war that have deviated greatly from their original designs when they hit the big screen. Why are Inferno and Red Alert refused the spotlight, then? It would be great to see at least an allusion to this key Autobot that has been around since the original days of the brand.

While this entry might seem like a cheat, Punch and Counterpunch are both the same Transformer. Used by the Autobots as a spy against the Decepticon forces, Punch has the unique ability to assume a secondary robot form as Counterpunch. This allows Counterpunch to infiltrate the Decepticon forces and report back to Optimus about their movements. Due to the paranoia of being a double agent, Punch's mental state is frayed, and Counterpunch has become an entirely separate personality. While still loyal to the Autobots, Counterpunch has become increasingly violent compared to the calm, stoic Punch.

One of the biggest failures of the live-action film franchise is that it doesn't explore the horrors of war that the comics or video games do. Punch's entire mental state is shattered due to his work for the Autobots, and that is a truly interesting storyline. The Autobots aren't just giant robots. They are sentient beings with personalities, not just props for action sequences. Exploring how the war has affected them as individuals would bring a whole new level of characterization and depth to the series. Punch and Counter would be a perfect addition to the live action cast for exactly that reason.

In many universes of the Transformers franchise, Alpha Trion is an ancient Cybertronian responsible for mentoring not only the Autobots in general but Optimus Prime specifically. In others, he is a legendary figure, tied by stories to the god Primus himself. No matter the version of the story, though, Alpha Trion is one of the most important Transformers in the entire franchise. While not a Prime, Alpha Trion's leadership helped make Cybertron an intergalactic superpower, and while the mentorship of Optimus Prime in the live-action films was relegated to Sentinel Prime, this doesn't mean that Alpha Trion needs to go unseen in the live action universe.

Alpha Trion's absence from the live-action films is interesting. While the series hasn't fully explored the lore of the universe, Alpha Trion is most often associated with the mythology and politics of Cybertron. In fact, in the original animated series, he was responsible for literally rebuilding Orion Pax into Optimus Prime, gifting him the Matrix of Leadership. Given his vast importance to the series, it's a real shame that we haven't seen him take on any role in the films. Even during The Last Knight, where Optimus is seeking his "creator," Alpha Trion isn't even mentioned, which had fans wondering what role he would play in the series.

Related: Every Transformers Live-Action Movie, Ranked

Of the characters on this list, Windblade is the newest addition to the Transformers franchise. This powerful warrior hails from the planet Caminus and only joined the war effort long after the battle had come to Earth. A Cityspeaker, Windblade has the unique ability to communicate and even control the massive Titan Transformers. Windblade is an incredibly skilled warrior with her Stormfall Sword, but an even kinder soul rests within her. She has incredible compassion for all life, including the lives of Decepticons. She believes in the goodness of all, but those who defy this morality will face the bite of her sword.

Admittedly, it makes sense why Windblade hasn't made it into the live-action universe. She only made her first appearance in 2014, seven years after the release of the first Transformers film. Nevertheless, it is almost guaranteed that this new fan-favorite will make a live-action appearance. Windblade has become a mainstay in Transformers marketing material and animated series, with the character making appearances in nearly every new franchise project. While it hasn't been announced whether she will play any role in the new Image Comics Transformers universe, it's a safe bet that this beloved character will appear there as well as in the live-action films.

Fans of the OG Transformers franchise have been wanting to see Metroplex make an appearance since the first film. While his size varies depending on the story, Metroplex is one of the biggest and most powerful Cybertronians in existence. In some versions, he is simply a mobile base for the Autobots. In others, he is an entire city. Either way, though, his existence comforts his Autobot allies and terrifies the Decepticon forces. If not for their own city-sized weapon, Trypticon, the Decepticons would have lost the war centuries ago thanks to this massive warrior.

Metroplex is one of the most popular characters in the Transformers franchise, even though he rarely gets any focus. After all, having a gargantuan super-soldier stampeding across the battlefield would make every fight so easy that there wouldn't be any drama. However, with the threats in the live-action universe getting more and more intense, Metroplex needs to be introduced to the series. The next film could even focus on Trypticon as a threat, and the Autobots need to find and recruit their former city-sized ally to their cause. No matter the story, fans have waited long enough to see this character come to life.

Of all the Autobots on this list, Ultra Magnus is the biggest absence felt by the fan base. Acting as Optimus Prime's chief general and strategist, Ultra Magnus is one of the most important characters in the entire Transformers franchise. In fact, when Optimus dies in The Transformers: The Movie, it is Ultra Magnus that takes control of the Autobot forces, leading them until his friend and leader returns. Ultra Magnus is the ultimate warrior. Never comfortable in a leadership position, he prefers to charge onto the front lines in service of the Autobot cause.

Fans have wondered for years why this important Autobot has never made it to the big screen. It could be because his design is so similar to Optimus; after all, they both transform into semis, and they may want to avoid their character designs clashing. However, given the importance of Ultra Magnus, this is one of the most glaring omissions on this list. There isn't even any mention of him in the prequel comics for the films, leaving fans in the lurch. Ultra Magnus is an icon of the entire franchise, so we will likely see him on the big screen at some point. Nevertheless, it is unfair that we have had to wait so long.