Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces audiences to live-action versions of the Maximals and the Terrorcons, but fans might be interested in learning more about the origins of these two factions. The latest installment in the blockbuster franchise is part one of a new Transformers trilogy, while simultaneously acting as a sequel to Bumblebee and a prequel to the overall Transformers franchise. The Autobots return, with Peter Cullen voicing Optimus Prime again, and Pete Davidson voicing Mirage, while several new offshoots of the Transformer race will also be introduced alongside a new cast of human characters.
While the origins and the histories of the Autobots, Decepticons, and to some degree the Dinobots and Quintessons, have been fleshed out in the live-action Transformers films, both the Maximals and Terrorcons are complete newcomers to the universe Michael Bay initiated with 2007’s Transformers. Entirely different in composition, character, and affiliation, their inclusion is both exciting and intriguing. However, there is perhaps even more about the originals of these unique Transformers that are worth exploring.
The Maximals Transformers History & Autobots Connection Explained
In the original Transformers TV show, after the Autobots and Decepticons signed the Pax Cybertronia and ended the Great War on Cybertron, there was a period of time when the Autobots and the Decepticons underwent what was called the "Great Upgrade." In Generation One canon, this is where the Maximals, and the villainous Predacons, seemed to come from. Although it is never fully made clear and only alluded to in the Beast Wars sequel series, Beast Machines. Both shows take place hundreds of years after the Great War.
They showed the Maximals as a space-faring species, who after decades of peace are once again at war with the descendants of the Decepticons (Predacons). The Maximals are a faction of the Transformers and are vaguely aware of their long-dead ancestors, often referring to the Autobots by name. Optimus Primal holds Optimus Prime in very high regard and the upgraded version of Megatron, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, called himself Megatron after the original leader of the Decepticons. This respect and honor remained there when the Maximals showed up in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Who Are The Terrorcons In Transformers Lore
In Transformers lore, the Terrorcons are a group of five Decepticons who can combine into the powerful Abominus, one of the strongest combiners. Chaotic and evil, they’ve been known to obey the Quintessons and Galvatron in the past. Led by Hun-Gurr, a two-headed dragon, each member can transform into a quasi-monster, with Cutthroat turning into a pterosaur and Rippersnapper a land shark. The group acts as muscle for other villains and has fought alongside Decepticons like Shatter and Starscream multiple times.
Interestingly, the live-action appearance of the Terrorcons in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts changed. This group now works under the leadership of Scourge, who himself works under the rule of Unicron. This is a change from the comics and animated series, as Scourge was a character who existed in Generation One canon, but leads a group of trackers called the Sweeps, not the Terrorcons. However, in both cases, the Terrorcons and Scourge still worked with Unicron and his goals of world domination.
Who Are The Maximals & Terrorcons In Rise Of The Beasts?
The Maximals are best known for their beast modes. Similar to the Autobots and Decepticons, the Maximals have a bipedal robotic form. Instead of transforming into vehicles, they instead turn into animals. The TV show Beast Wars introduced audiences to the Maximals, and they remain close in the new movie. Optimus Primal, who transforms into a gorilla, is their leader. Joining him are Rhinox (a rhinoceros), Airazor (a peregrine falcon), and Cheetor (a cheetah). However, when it comes to their origin in the movie, things changed somewhat. Optimus Primal was not the leader until a second, larger gorilla Maximal died protecting the universe from Scourge and Unicron.
The Maximals also come from the future, and they traveled back in time to prehistoric Earth, where they have lived ever since. They are here because of the Terrorcons, who are led by Scourge, who has immense power infused into him by Unicron, a planet-devouring villain. The Terrorcons are an aggressive and unpredictable group who morph into vehicles similar to the Autobots. While the comics always showed them to be a subset of the Decepticons, but never as powerful, that changed in the movie. It took everything the Autobots and Maximals had to stop them and prevent Unicron from consuming the Earth.
When battling them as two distinctive teams, the Autobots never had a chance. Led by Scourge, with his immense godlike powers, they fell one by one. Scourge even killed Bumblebee in the movie, and had earlier killed the leader of the Maximals in the future. His team included Nightbird, who turned into a Nissan Skyline GTR and used swords to fight with. Battletrap was a brown tow truck and provided the muscle for the Terrorcons. Even with just those three, they provided all that the combined Autobots and Maximals could handle, and almost won if not for Optimus Prime making the ultimate sacrifice at the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
