Opinion: "The Transformers Multiverse" - Is It Possible?

The 2020s have seen a surge of interest in the multiverse concept within the realm of fiction, whether it be a MARVEL or DC property or "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

Even Star Trek alluded to “alternative realities” in "The Next Generation" episode “Parallels,” and "The Original Series" started the concept of the Mirror Universe which continued in shows such as "Deep Space Nine" and "Enterprise."

However, there is one such property that has not considered the possibility of the multiverse. That property is the "Transformers" franchise. Now, most people are familiar with the live-action movie series or the original Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980s, but there are many more shows to draw upon.

In fact, there are about twenty-eight "Transformers" television series, twenty-nine if you count "Challenge of the Go-Bots," a toy competitor from the 80s. Plenty of content for a prospective crossover.

But how would we get Transformers from different continuities together in a “'Secret Wars' level event?” For instance...

In the original Generation 1 episode, “Forever is a Long Time Coming”, the Quintessons construct a time machine to stop the Autobot Rebellion in the past but end up destabilizing reality. That’s example one.

In the "Beast Wars" series, the Maximals pursue the Predacon enemies back into the past via a Quantum-warp-drive. In the lore, the warp-drive was a prototype for a lightspeed engine, but its instability sent the future Cybertronians onto primitive Earth. That is example two.

The third example is one of countless proportions. In numerous series, the Decepticons (or Autobots) possess a transportation technology called the Space Bridge. The Space Bridge allows for the transport of objects or Cybertronians from point A (mostly Cybertron) to point B (Earth).

In the original G1 series, the Space Bridge was used to transport the Energon energy source back to Cybertron, and a stronger model was used to transport the Transformers’ planet to Earth.

In the movie, "Dark of the Moon," the Space Bridge was connected via a series of pillars which also transported Cybertron to Earth, but once disrupted, resulted in the presumed destruction of the Cybertronian home world.

In "Transformers: Prime," the Autobots use Space Bridge technology frequently to go to various places on Earth, this time in the form of a walk-through portal.

Those are just a few examples of potential quantum/wormhole technology, but enough with lore dumping. How will the alternate Transformers meet up?

It is possible that with quantum destabilization, the fabric of space-time could be so disrupted, it could open “doorways” to other realities quite unintentionally.

In the original cartoon, the Autobots, Decepticons and Quintessons were already transported to a “negative universe” via a universal "accident.” How do we know that will not happen again?

If destabilization of reality can repeatedly occur due to the use of time travel, then it can be presumed that will be the key for alt-Transformers entering universes they would be typically prohibited from going to.

Beast Wars already showed audiences that the past can theoretically be changed, albeit before being repaired back in a normal fashion. (Spoiler alert!) When Beast Wars-Megatron “killed” Optimus Prime, a time storm was unleashed that also disrupted the space-time continuum. Another form of universe destabilization?

Combine the universe destabilization with unstable quantum technology not to mention Space Bridge tech, then the recipe for a multiversal-level event has officially been “cooked to full temperature.”

Now, the pitch for a “multiversal Transformers event” realistically kicks off with Beast Wars, even though G1 started the time travel scenario earlier. Once quantum-technology and the Space Bridge are combined, then disaster ensues.

A scenario could occur once a version of Megatron unlocks this potential. The Autobots fail to stop the Decepticons from this conquest, and the door is opened to another universe. But it does not stop there, because then more universes are intruded upon by another Decepticon army.

Finally, when it seems like the multiverse is at stake, then various Autobots from multiple Transformers series are gathered to form a multiversal-army to counter the rogue forces of evil.

It would be the combination of select characters from "Generation 1," "The Headmasters," "Super-God Masterforce," "Victory," "Zone," "Beast Wars," "Beast Machines," "Robots in Disguise," "Armada," "Cybertron," "Energon," "Animated," "Earthspark," "Rescue Bots," "War for Cybertron," "BotBots, Go!," "Prime," "Cyberverse," "Power of the Primes," "Titans Return," "Combiner Wars," "Challenge of the Go-Bots" and the live-action movies, among other additions from other sources like video games and comic books that would also participate in a climactic battle.

Then, since the multiverse was let loose, alternate Megatrons from the other shows would also become aware of the situation, and either fight each other for blood or seek similar ambitions for conquest.

Various Optimus Primes would also encounter one another but realize the brotherhood that they have in common as they join forces to unite all of their Autobot armies.

Obviously, such an event of cataclysmic proportions cannot just happen suddenly. It must be steadily but properly built up to earn its huge climatic finale.

Such steps are being taken with the MCU’s “Multiverse Saga” right now, but to mixed results, depending on the property and who is handling the source material.

Source material is also key. If these series are all coming together, those select adventures, characters, and lore must be handled with respect.

Alternate Bumblebees can’t be haphazardly thrown together, they must stay true to their individual characters and versions. Series like "Transformers Animated" were abruptly canceled before the fourth season could come to fruition, so perhaps that continuity can be honored by showing what could have happened afterward.

Overall, this scenario has potential due to the amount of readily available material, but the chances of a “Transformers: Multiverse” event happening are small and liken more to a fan’s pipe dream. Nevertheless, it is still a fun prospect to consider. Till all are one... or many in this case.

Logan M. Sharp is a fourth-year majoring in film production. To contact him, email lxs5590@psu.edu.