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This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
| NOTE: This article is about the Transformers One incarnation of Megatron. For the other incarnations of the character, go to the disambiguation page. |
| “ | THE AGE OF PRIMES HAS ENDED! NO MORE FALSE PROPHETS! FOLLOW ME, AND YOU WILL NEVER AGAIN BE DECEIVED! RISE UP!!! I WILL LEAD US ALL INTO THE FUTURE! I... AM... MEGATRON!!! | „ |
| ~ D-16 completing his turn to darkness as he renames himself after the late Megatronus Prime. |
| “ | Sentinel, the betrayer, is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy. A STRONGER enemy. A PERSONAL enemy. We will NOT be blinded by his deception. We are the ones who are! DECEPTICONS, RISE UP!!! | „ |
| ~ Megatron’s last lines in the film, officially becoming the leader of The High Guard, now rebranded as the Decepticons. |
Megatron, originally known as D-16, is the deuteragonist of the 2024 animated science fiction action film Transformers One. A rash but kind miner, he was Orion Pax's best friend, often being the one to get Orion out of trouble. Like Orion, he idolized the Primes and desired to live up to their example.
However, his resentment and fury over the truth of Sentinel's alleged status as a Prime, as well as his crippling of the populace of Iacon, led him down a dark path that culminated him into becoming a ruthless tyrant. Rechristening himself as Megatron, he took control of Cybertron's High Guard and reformed them into the Decepticons, swearing revenge on Orion, now going by the name Optimus Prime.
He is voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, who also played Lemon in Bullet Train.
History[]
Past[]
D-16 was one of numerous Cybertronians in the miner class, which consisted of Cybertronians without transformation cogs who solely serve as menial laborers for the rest of the planet. During his early years, D-16 would befriend fellow miner Orion Pax, both of them coming to be brothers in all but name.
Transformers One[]
He first appeared when he rescued Orion from two guards chasing him, with the former giving D-16 a sticker of Megatronus Prime, the Prime he deeply admired, as a gift for his friend. He then went to the mines with the other miners led by Elita-1. However, the mines exploded which forced the miners to evacuate. Jazz got trapped in the process, which both Orion and D-16 stayed behind to save Jazz’s life. Elita got fired in the process for the duo’s ruckus by Darkwing. Orion tried to defend Elita's honor which ended both him and D-16 getting knocked out by Darkwing.
Wanting to prove themselves as more than miners, Orion and D-16 secretly enter the Iacon 5000 race but lose despite their efforts. However, Sentinel takes an interest and, instead of punishing them, has a security guard give them a new post at his residence. Unfortunately, Darkwing sends them to the smelting area out of spite for making him lose the race, where they meet B-127. The three of them then discover a chip in the junk with a distress message from Alpha Trion, one of the Primes, revealing coordinates to his location on the planet's surface.
The three hitchhike on a train carrying crates to the surface, inadvertently bringing Elita along. They eventually discover a deactivated Trion and a mass grave of the Primes inside a cavern. After reactivating him, Trion reveals that Sentinel betrayed and murdered the Primes and allied with the Quintessons for power in return for Energon, and secretly removed the miners' transformation cogs to keep them powerless.
Trion gives Orion's team the fallen Primes' cogs, allowing them to transform, as well as a chip carrying evidence of Sentinel's treason. However, Sentinel's soldiers arrive, so Trion holds them off to allow the others to escape, resulting in him being captured and executed by Sentinel.
Following their escape from Sentinel's forces, D-16 became more distant and more vengeful after receiving the T-Cog, as he plans to murder Sentinel Prime in front of Iacon. They ended up being captured by the High Guard, led by Starscream. D-16 challenged Starscream for leadership of the High Guard, which ended up in Starscream’s defeat. Sentinel's forces then came to the High Guard’s headquarters and captured half of the High Guard, including D-16 and Bee.
At Sentinel’s tower, he confronted the High Guard and planned to execute them for treason. D-16 stands up to Sentinel as he said that he has nothing left to lose. Sentinel then realizes that D-16 admires Megatronus Prime due to the sticker Orion gave him, and burns it horribly into D-16's chest in an agonizing way just to mock both D-16 and the memory of his hero. He also reveals that he stole Megatronus's cog for himself, much to D-16's anger. Orion and Elita came to rescue D and Bee and confronted Sentinel and his forces. While Orion and the others went to capture Airachnid, D stayed behind to fight against Sentinel.
With Sentinel's crimes exposed to all of Iacon, D-16 is fully dead set on executing him on the spot, but Orion stops him and outright pleads with him not go down this path. Orion then gets shot trying to stop him. While initially horrified at his actions, D-16 ultimately lets Orion fall into Cybertron's core before killing Sentinel and taking Megatronus' cog. D-16 then rechristens himself as "Megatron" and rallies the High Guard to destroying Iacon, without caring about the lives he endangers in the process. Elita and Bee tried to stop Megatron from causing destruction to no avail.
Orion came back as Optimus Prime, thanks to Primus and the Primes deeming him worthy of the Matrix of Leadership. Megatron and Optimus fought for the first time and defeated him in the end. Optimus accuses Megatron for going in the same path as Sentinel, and banishes him and the High Guard from Iacon. Vowing for vengeance, Megatron said that this is not over, which marked the end of their deep friendship and turned themselves into bitter enemies. In the stinger, he renamed the High Guard as the Decepticons, using Megatronus' sigil as their symbol.
Personality[]
| “ | D-16: No. No no no no no no no. Why…? WHY DID YOU DO THAT? WHY?!?! Orion Pax: D… no… Megatron: ......I'm done saving you. |
„ |
| ~ D-16 allowing Orion Pax to fall to his “death” as he finally embraces the path of evil. |
D-16’s personality is shaped by a combination of his deep convictions, emotional volatility, and a growing sense of betrayal. Initially, as D-16, he is shown as a brave and passionate miner with a strong moral compass, driven by the ideals of justice and fairness that he shares with his friend, Orion Pax. He is loyal and protective, often stepping in to save Orion from trouble, showcasing a caring side and a belief in a better future for Cybertron. He is initially weak-willed and prone to following Orion's whims, however, as his worldview grew darker, his sense of will became stronger and yet also less compassionate, too.
However, beneath this good-natured exterior, D-16 harbors an inner turmoil, especially regarding the oppressive conditions in Iacon and the corruption within Cybertron’s leadership. His strong sense of justice quickly turns into bitterness and resentment when he and the group uncovered the truth about Sentinel Prime’s manipulations. This sense of betrayal fuels his anger, leading him to believe that only through force and domination can real change be achieved. His once noble intentions become twisted, and his rash, emotional nature drives him down a path of violence.
As Megatron, he becomes a power-hungry and charismatic leader, using his anger and charisma to rally the Decepticons and wage war on Cybertron. He develops a ruthless and authoritarian streak, believing that peace and order can only be maintained through his iron-fisted rule. His idealism is replaced by a desire for control, and he sees any opposition, including his former friend Optimus, as a threat to his vision of Cybertron’s future. Despite his tyrannical tendencies, Megatron retains a level of respect for strength and conviction, making him a complex and multifaceted antagonist.
Throughout the Film, D-16 has idolized Megatronus out of all of the Thirteen Primes for his mighty power. He eagerly accepting when his friend Orion Pax gave him a rare sticker based on Megatronus' face that proudly wore on his shoulder, even as it gets damaged until Sentinel mocked him for his hero worship and revealing his possession of Megatronus' cog, destroyed the sticker as he painfully scorching a crude rendition of Megatronus' face into his chest. After killing Sentinel, he ripped Megatronus cog and installed it into his chest, renaming himself as "Megatron" after his hero and idol. He even fashioned an insignia of his hero's face and branded it onto himself and the High Guard, reforming them into Decepticons.
His succumbing to megalomania and cruelty also twisted his perceptions, since despite Sentinel being a false Prime and the real Primes remained faithful to Cybertron, Megatron still demanded the destruction of all legacy of the Primes, with the sole exception of Megatronus, whom he still idolizes by having his sigil as the Decepticon symbol.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
Cybertronian Physiology: D-16 possesses the natural abilities inherent to all Cybertronians, but after receiving a T-Cog from Alpha Trion and the acquisition of Megatronus Prime’s T-Cog elevate him far beyond the average Cybertronian.
- Superhuman Strength: After D-16 received a T-Cog, thanks to Alpha Trion, his strength became immense, allowing him to overpower most enemies with ease. His physical power is comparable to the strongest Primes, capable of devastating foes and even tearing apart other Transformers in battle. And even without a T-Cog, it was implied that D-16 was fairly strong by cogless Cybertronian standards, as seen when he blocked a punch from the much larger and cogged Darkwing with the former even managing to stand his ground.
- Superhuman Durability: His body is highly resilient, able to withstand powerful energy blasts, crushing forces, and extreme damage without being easily destroyed. The T-Cog enhancements make his armored body even more impervious to harm.
- Superhuman Speed: Though not the fastest Cybertronian, D-16’s enhanced speed allows him to move with surprising quickness in battle, closing gaps between him and his enemies or dodging incoming attacks with agility.
- Superhuman Agility: Despite his size and bulk, D-16 demonstrates impressive agility, performing complex maneuvers in battle with ease and precision.
- Superhuman Stamina: His mechanical physiology allows him to endure extended periods of physical exertion without tiring, making him a relentless force in combat.
- Superhuman Reflexes: D-16’s reflexes are enhanced to near-instantaneous reaction times, allowing him to respond to threats, dodge attacks, and counter enemies with speed and precision.
- Transformation: As with all Cybertronians, D-16 can transform into a Cybertronian Tank as he used his cannon to blast at his enemies with ease. Now as Megatron, his power had amplified significantly.
- Immortality: D-16 is virtually ageless, like some Cybertronians, existing for millions of years.
Abilities[]
- Master Combatant: Megatron is a highly skilled fighter, proficient in various forms of combat, from hand-to-hand to advanced weaponry.
- Master Marksman: He is a highly skilled marksman, proficient with a wide range of Cybertronian weaponry. Megatron can expertly aim and fire his powerful fusion cannon, as well as other advanced weaponry, with deadly accuracy.
- Master Leader: Megatron’s charisma and strength make him a formidable leader. He is able to inspire loyalty and fear within the Decepticons, commanding respect and authority. His strategic mind and tactical brilliance have allowed him to wage war on Cybertron with devastating effectiveness.
Equipment[]
Mining Equipment[]
- Energon Drills: D-16, like every miner, used somne powerful drills were essential for breaking through Cybertron’s tough metal crust to access hidden Energon deposits. The drills were mounted on his arms, allowing him to work efficiently and quickly. While primarily tools for labor, they also became useful in self-defense or in physical confrontations, able to crush or damage anyone who threatened him.
- Jet Packs: D-16 uses some Jetpacks to travel to the mines so he can extract Energon, and he and Orion used said Jet Packs to run into the Iacon 5000 race.
Quotes[]
| “ | Orion Pax: Hey, Megatronus Prime. Nice! D-16: Oh yeah. Well, he’s my hero. Both: The greatest Prime that ever lived. [Chuckling] D-16: I’m D-16. Orion Pax: Orion Pax. D-16: You ever mined Energon before? Orion Pax: No, you? D-16: No. I’ve heard it’s dangerous. Orion Pax: I’ll tell you what. You watch my back, I promise to watch yours. D-16: Alright, thanks… Pax. |
„ |
| ~ D-16 meeting Orion Pax for the first time. |
| “ | D-16: If we survive this, I’m gonna kill you! Orion Pax: I accept those terms! |
„ |
| ~ D-16 and Orion Pax during the Iacon race. |
| “ | Orion Pax: So... how long do you think we'll be here? D-16: I'm not talking to you… you know what? I can’t believe you talked me into this! We are so screwed! Orion Pax: I thought you weren't talking to me. |
„ |
| ~ D-16 and Orion Pax in a waiting room after the race. |
| “ | D-16: You just have to do it. Didn’t you? Orion Pax: Me? What did I do? D-16: You just have to go to the surface. Have to enter the Iacon 5000. You just HAVE TO BREAK PROTOCOL! Orion Pax: Who cares about Protocol? D-16: I do! I CARE! Because nothing bad happens when you stay on protocol! Orion Pax: Sentinel Prime has been forcing us to work in the mines until our gears break, and all the while he’s been giving the Energon away to our greatest enemies. D-16: What do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?! Orion Pax: I'm not thinking about what he's going to do. I'm thinking about what we're going to do! D-16: That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this! Orion Pax: But don't you want to stop him? D-16: NO, I WANT TO KILL HIM! I want to put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so that everyone can see him for the FALSE PRIME THAT HE IS! I want him to suffer and then to die in darkness! But we all know that it doesn’t matter what I want, right Pax? The fact is, we’re just cogless bots, right? We have limited options, and now… now we have none. |
„ |
| ~ D-16 reveals that he wants to kill Sentinel for his betrayal and his first breakdown. |
| “ | Bare witness! This is the last time I show mercy! Decide right now! You can stay here in hiding, bowing before your pathetic leader, or follow me as we march on Iacon and I take down Sentinel ONCE AND FOR ALL! | „ |
| ~ D-16 shows his ruthless side at the High Guard's after beating their former leader near-death. |
| “ | D-16: What are you doing?! Orion Pax: It's over, D. Everyone in Iacon knows the truth. D-16: SO DO I! He took everything from us! I have to do this! Orion Pax: No you don't! Rebuilding Iacon cannot begin with an execution. D-16: He deserves to DIE! Can't you see that?! Orion Pax: We're better than this. Don't be like Sentinel. D-16: (calmly yet furiously) Pax... you need to move out of my way, before I move you myself. |
„ |
| ~ D-16 arguing with Orion Pax over Sentinel's fate. |
| “ | Burn it down! ALL OF IT!! | „ |
| ~ Megatron demanding the destruction of Iacon City. |
| “ | Elita- 1: Stop! It's over! Megatron: It's over when every last one of his followers is DEAD!! |
„ |
| ~ Megatron to Elita-1. |
| “ | Megatron: Impossible... Primus gave you the Matrix?! Optimus Prime: We could have built the future together. Megatron: I'll build it myself, after I tear down EVERYONE IN MY WAY!!! |
„ |
| ~ Megatron before his first fight against his former best friend and his final villainous breakdown. |
| “ | Optimus Prime: We were given the power to change our world and you chose to destroy it, just like Sentinel! You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed.... me. Go.... take the High Guard and leave! You are banished from Iacon! It didn’t have to end this way. Megatron: This isn't over... PRIME! High Guard, follow me! |
„ |
| ~ Megatron being banished from Iacon alongside the High Guard, foreshadowing the millennia-long feud between him and Optimus Prime. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This Megatron is the first villain from a Paramount Animation movie based on a pre-existing IP.
- Despite the fact that Megatronus Prime did not become evil by betraying the Primes becoming the Fallen like his G1 counterpart and Bayverse counterpart, he is still pivotal in the creation of the Decepticons. His T-Cog is what physically transformed D-16 into Megatron and his face came to be used as the Decepticon insignia.
- A subtle detail throughout the film consists of D-16's eye color changing, highlighting his descent into madness.
- As a miner, they are a rusty gold.
- After gaining his T-Cog, they subtly become more orange.
- Right before he allows Orion Pax to fall to his death, they turn blood red.
- Megatron was originally planned to be a gladiator as part of his origin, much like other versions, but this was later scrapped due to the limited runtime given for the film.
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 Villains
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Sentinel Prime's Empire Quintessons Decepticons | ||