Original Optimus Prime Actor Will Read You a Transformers Bedtime Story
The Calm Kids app has partnered with Transformers to provide a bedtime story read by Optimus Prime himself. The Transformers franchise, which began with the 1984 toy line and its tie-in animated series, follows robots from outer space who can shift their shapes, disguising themselves as cars and other vehicles and machinery. The benevolent Autobots are locked in a desperate, eons-long battle with the evil Decepticons. The franchise has existed in many forms throughout the years, but the most prominent contemporary version is the series of live-action films that began with Michael Bay's 2007 Transformers, starring Shia Labeouf and Megan Fox. That franchise has run for six films with a seventh, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, expected in 2023 followed by an animated Transformers movie the next summer.
The leader of the Autobots is known as Optimus Prime, the good-hearted hero who constantly faces off against the wicked Decepticon mastermind Megatron. The character was originally voiced by Canadian actor Peter Cullen in 69 episodes of the original series, as well as in several spinoffs and animated films. In the years since, the character has been voiced by several other performers, including Neil Kaplan, Garry Chalk, and David Kaye, but Cullen returned to voice the role in the live-action franchise and has been the primary voice for Optimus Prime for the last decade and a half.
Many who have trouble getting to sleep are likely already familiar with the Calm app, a meditation app that helps with relaxation. Over the years, Calm has partnered with many celebrities and brands to provide unique experiences, whether it's using the ambient sounds of NBC's The Office to drift off or meditating along with Canadian pop singer Shawn Mendes. Last week, the Calm Kids app announced their latest partnership, a Sleep Story read by Peter Cullen in the dulcet tones of Optimus Prime that tells the legend of the Autobots and the Decepticons. Check out their official announcement and listen to a sample of the story below:
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The action-packed Transformers films aren't the first thing one might think of when trying to find calming influences. However, Peter Cullen is a talented voice actor with the range to pull off a wide variety of tones. He has expertly turned his skills to crafting a soundscape that will bring peace to kids - or any adults who want to listen in, too.
It's remarkable how well Transformers has been able to remain a perennially popular franchise for nearly 40 years. It's true that the core concept behind the series is fun and appealing to children. However, without the grounding presence and commitment of Peter Cullen keeping the universe feeling consistent throughout the years, it would certainly not have constantly found success quite as well as it has.
Source: Calm Kids