Transformers: Legacy Trilogy (Netflix)

Transformers: Legacy Trilogy (also known as Transformers Generations: Legacy, or simply Legacy) is an upcoming animated series produced by Hasbro and Rooster Teeth based on the Transformers Legacy toyline, with animation by Polygon Pictures and voice production by Horseless Cowboy. F.J. DeSanto returns as the series showrunner, a role he previously had with Prime Wars Trilogy and War For Cybertron Trilogy, with George Krstic, Gavin Hignight, Brandon M. Easton, Tim Sheridan, and Mae Catt as writers. 
The series is a sequel to War For Cybertron, picking up a few centuries after the events of Kingdom, with the Autobots and Decepticons now reformed and united under a coalition that seeks to stop the upcoming threat against the multiverse from the vengeful Straxxus, while also having to deal with the looming threat of Unicron. 
The cast of Legacy features returning talent from War for Cybertron, such as Jason Marnocha as Megatron, Frank Todaro as Starscream, Rattrap and the Sparkless bots, Jake Tillman as Optimus Prime, Joe Zieja as Bumblebee and Goldbug, and Jonathan Lipow as Unicron. The aforementioned actors also provide the voice of their characters' various counterparts. New talent joining the cast are Yuri Lowenthal as Tarn, Christopher Sabat as Grimlock and Leo Prime/Nemesis Leo, Sean Schemmel as Armada Hot Shot, Brina Palencia as Prime Arcee, Ron Yuan as Victory Deathsaurus and William Miller as Straxxus. Guest stars include Matthew Yang King as Victory Star Saber and Taissa Faminga as the rogue Decepticon Flamewar.
The series is set to premiere on Netflix in late 2023, to coincide with the release of the theatrical movie Transformers Rise of the Beasts. The series is debuting with the first season which will consist of 8 episodes/22 minutes each. A second season, titled Evolution, will debut in early 2024, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the franchise as well as with the release of the animated movie Transformers: One, and a third season, titled United, will debut in winter 2024, wrapping up the trilogy and the current era of Transformers. 
A spin-off centered on the story of the Shattered Glass universe, currently featured in a new comic book series by IDW Publishing accompanied by a toyline, is in the early stages of development and may be a limited series. 
Category:Premise
Category:Cast and crew
Category:Development
Category:Release
Category:Trivia
== Premise ==
A few centuries after the events of War For Cybertron: Kingdom, Cybertron ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, the Allspark having restored and created new life for Cybertron. The planet is now housing Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, Predacons and Mercenaries. A new High Council, known as The Cybertronian Coalition was build to rule the new world, consisting of Optimus Prime of the Autobots, Megatron of the Decepticons, Optimus Primal of the Maximals, Predacon Megatron of the Predacons, and Soundblaster of the Mercenaries. Straxxus, having discovered the true nature of the multiverse and branching timelines by studying the Dead Universe, has come to the conclusion that sentient beings who inhabit the multiverse are responsible for its impending destruction. Knowing that Galvatron has created a new universe due to his time travel actions from the previous series, Straxxus seeks to use the very same process to trigger a Multiversal Crisis, bringing various universes and timelines together in order to conquer them and make himself the ultimate being. To prevent this impending doom, the new Coalition seeks to team up with their counterparts from other universes and restore the multiverse, while at the same time having to deal with Unicron, who learned how to manipulate the Dead Universe in order to consume all existence and put an end to the known reality. 
Main Cast:
Jake Tillman as WFC Optimus Prime/G1 Earth mode Optimus Prime/G2 Optimus Prime/Armada Optimus Prime/Animated Optimus Prime
Brett Tucker as Black Convoy (Nemesis Prime II), Robots In Disguise 2000 Universe Scourge 
Jason Marnocha as WFC Megatron/G1 Earth mode Megatron/G2 Megatron/Armada Megatron/Energon Megatron
Jason Spisak as Galvatron II/Armada Galvatron/Energon Galvatron
Frank Todaro as WFC Starscream/G1 Earth mode Starscream/Armada Starscream/Cybertron Starscream, Rattrap, Sparkless bots, G1 Metalhawk, Tarantulas, Tasmania Kid
Jonathan Lipow as Unicron, Cybertron Universe Vector Prime
Marcus Bobesich as Predacon Megatron/Transmetal II Megatron, Terrorsaur, G2 Universe Toxitron
Justin Pierce as Optimus Primal/Nemesis Primal, G1 Blitwing, Infernac Universe Nucleous
Todd Haberkorn as G1 Shockwave/Shockblast, Infernac Universe Bouldercrash
Yuri Lowenthal as Tarn, Crashbar, G1 Crosscut, Predacon Inferno
Brina Palencia as Prime Universe Arcee/G1 Arcee, Cyberverse Universe Shadow Striker, Airazor
Linsay Rousseau as G1 Elita-1/Elita Prime, Robots in Disguise 2015 Strongarm, Antagony
Dietrich Balder as Prime Universe Bulkhead, G2 Jhiaxus, Trashmaster
Joe Hernandez as Cheetor/Beast Machines Cheetor, G1 Mirage/Earth Mode Mirage, Beast Wars Sandstorm
Beau Marie as Tigatron, Beast Wars Scorponok, G1 Wheeljack
Edward Bosco as WFC Soundwave/Earth Mode G1 Soundwave/Soundblaster, Scraphook, G1 Wildrider, Rhinox
Christopher Sabat as G1 Grimlock, Leo Prime/Nemesis Leo, Prime Universe Thundertron
Sean Schemmel as Armada Universe Hot Shot/Cybertron Universe Hot Shot, Animated Universe Bumblebee, G1 Skids
William Miller as Straxxus, Prime Universe Cliffjumper, G1 Skullgrin
Recurring Cast:
Krizz Kaliko as Dinomus/Dinobot, G1 Breakdown, G1 Devcon, G1 Cranckase, G1 Iguanus, G1 Bomb-Burst
Travis Artz as Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, G1 Drag Strip, G1 Dead End, Prime Universe Knock-Out
Brook Chalmers as Comic Universe Impactor, Needlenose, G1 Motormaster/Animated Universe Motormaster
Nolan North as Cybertron Universe Metroplex, G1 Blaster/Twincast, Rescue Bots Universe Chase
Matthew Yang King as Victory Universe Star Saber, G1 Springer, Infernac Universe Magneous
Ron Yuan as Victory Universe Deathsaurus, G1 Bludgeon, Magmatron, Prime Universe Dreadwing
Ben Jurand as Alpha Trion, Magnificus
Taissa Faminga as Flamewar, Infernac Universe Shard, Cyberverse Universe Slipstream
Georgia Reed as G1 Chromia/Cyberverse Universe Chromia, Cybertron Universe Override, G2 Road Rage
Aaron Veach as WFC Prowl/Earth Mode G1 Prowl/Animated Universe Prowl
Jessica DiGiovanni as Cyberverse Universe Windblade, Axelgrease, Blackarachnia/Darkarachnia
JB Blanc as MacCadam/Alchemist Prime, Black Zarak
Remy Hii as Primus, Beast Wars Silverbolt
Sarah Poulson as Gaea, The Nemesis Warship, Solus Prime
Ike Amadi as The One Being, Megatronus Prime
Fred Tatasciore as Chronarchitect, Prime Universe Skyquake
== Development ==
The whole concept entered production sometime in late 2019 after Kingdom was conceptualized, with art duties and production of the toys and story bible commencing in 2020. The first mentions of the Legacy toyline began surfacing as soon as late 2020 to early 2021. The leaks, which at first have been vague into explaining what the next toyline could be other than the possible implication of the multiverse, were describing the toyline as another trilogy, to later be leaked under the title Legacy with the subtitle of its first chapter being Evolution. It has been concieved not only as a sequel for War For Cybertron where fans could see the full ramifications of the timeline and multiverse wreaking action of the Generations storytelling, but it is also meant to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the franchise by bringing together all universes into one definitive story that will close the previous era, and begin an all new fresh start for the long running franchise. The toyline itself has been announced at Hasbro Pulsecon in October 2021, and began hitting store shelves in early 2022. An animated series, also a sequel to War For Cybertron, was conceptualized back when the toyline entered production, and initially it was pitched to Netflix by F.J DeSanto, its showrunner, sometime before the release of Earthrise or Kingdom. Netflix would reject the pitch due to their changing mandates at the time, but due to the success of the War For Cybertron series on Netflix as well as due to the success of the toys and comics, a deal has been reached for a limited capacity for the series. The story was pitched as a 3 parter, just like its predecessor, and Polygon Pictures once again took over the animation, working on 6 episodes/22 minutes each for all 3 seasons, this time with graphics and a tone much akin to Robots in Disguise 2015. Talent from War for Cybertron returns, but, due to previous controversy over voice acting choices, Hasbro would also include talents from the Funimation english dubs of animes, working in synergy with the core cast. Due to the popular demand for an animated Shattered Glass series, Hasbro commissioned development for a limited, adult animated series that will adapt the newly released IDW Publishing comics, and it will be produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, which previously worked with Hasbro on Prime Wars Trilogy. The crew of Legacy is also involved in this spin-off.
== Toyline ==
First revealed in late 2021 at Hasbro Pulse Con 2021, Legacy commemorates the approaching 40th anniversary of the Transformers brand by featuring new toys of characters from across the Transformers multiverse. The toys are largely in the scale and style of those from the War for Cybertron Trilogy, including numerous 3 mm posts and 5 mm ports from the C.O.M.B.A.T. System. Non-Generation 1 characters are updated with a Generations aesthetic to fit with the rest of the toyline, most evident with the toys based on Prime. Legacy characters can "harness the power of Energon" as each toy includes an 'Energon-infused weapon": an, often translucent, accessory that the figure can wield in multiple ways and combine with others, not too dissimilar to the 2003 Energon series. The toyline also sees the return of combiners from Hasbro for the first time since Power of the Primes, with the Stunticons being released over 2022. As the line moves into 2023, it will put some focus on characters from Armada to commemorate the series' 20th anniversary.
Spin-off collections such as Velocitron Speedia 500, Wreck'n'Rule, Cybertronian History, Star Seekers and Toxitron Collection have also been released via Amazon, Walmart and Target, expanding the range and story of the toyline.
The official description reads:
''Universes continue to collide! Transformers: Legacy brings together fan-favorite characters from across the Transformers multiverse. Figures feature deco inspired by their universe with an updated Generations design. In honor of the almost 40-year legacy of Transformers entertainment, the fandoms come together from across the Transformers multiverse, all in one toy line.''
== Marketing and Release ==
The toyline has not received the same substantial marketing as War for Cybertron, only been promoted via ocassional Hasbro Pulse livestreams and Instagram updates. The fandom has mostly contributed to the marketing, chief among them being the now-defunct YouTube channel named AndyUnicronus99, later taken over by new owners who rebranded it as Axiom Nexus, where inside development knownledge and possible plotlines have been discussed in both instances of the channel, both before spring 2022 and starting in fall 2022. 
The initial slow-burn strategy would soon evolve into a full-fledged marketing campaign after Hasbro announced the series officially at Brand Licensing Expo in September 2022. Since then, the show began getting promotion, teases, and material that would keep and rise the interest for the Legacy brand.
The series will begin with the first season which will be released in late 2023, with its following 2 seasons being released through 2024, with Evolution in spring, the other titled United in winter.
== Gallery ==
File:Transformers-generations-legacy-toys-and-collectibles-logo 1200x1200.webp
File:Pulsecon-Transformers2-001.jpg
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File:Transformers-kingdom-thumbnail-1.jpg
== Trivia ==
* Much like 2022's Studio Series lineup, Leader Class toys feature window-less packaging, which allows for expanded artwork. The others largely utilize the same minimized window and plastic tray-less boxes from the previous line, War for Cybertron: Kingdom, though with many hard-to-stack (but cool!) angles for the sides and no plastic window.
* The lack of a plastic window in the packaging has lead to several drawbacks, most prominently the lack of support offered by the plastic window makes the packaging more susceptible to stress-based wear-and-tear, as well as tampering with the figures inside such as storing Voyager Bulkhead's head in his chest cavity, making it appear as though the figure is missing his head.
* The universes currently featured in the Legacy toyline are the "Diaclone Universe", "Comic Universe", "G2 Universe", "Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe", “Armada Universe”, "Cybertron Universe", and "Prime Universe". The QR-accessed bios on Hasbro's website add "G1" and "Beast Wars" origin universes into the mix, though these names do not appear on the toys' boxes. Strangely, the Diaclone-adjacent items in the Generations Selects and Buzzworthy Bumblebee lineups are not given the "Diaclone Universe" label.
* In titling universes, Legacy splits the difference in terms of release years, leaning towards their Japanese release in particular. This is why the "Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe" isn't "Robots in Disguise 2001 Universe", as the Japanese release Car Robots did release in 2000. Likewise, 2003 is considered the anniversary year for Armada, despite it arriving in some countries in late 2002.
* This is not the first Transformers series to feature the multiverse at the center of its story, as Transformers Cyberverse would have its own core multiverse, featuring characters like Megatron X and Tarn. A cancelled Transformers series titled SuperCross would've featured G1, Beast Wars and Armada coming together in a story with a multiversal singular Unicron as villain, case of which is seen with Legacy. The only 2 pieces of media to fully tackle the subject of the franchise multiverse was the comic series Transtech, as well as the manga Generations Selects, where a primordial universe that existed before the known multiverse was the birthplace of Primus and Unicron.
* Due to the current shift in strategy at Hasbro, and the overuse of iconic brands, Legacy marks the end of an entire multiversal saga of Transformers, and the last time fans will see the known generations. A massive overhaul is expected to take place starting in 2025.
* Legacy would also see the fulfillment of a in-story prophecy of the optimal universe, where all are one. This was the purpose of the ancient Grand Plan of Primus, and will both close the 40 years-running saga and be the startpoint of an all new saga.