Actor Brian Tyree Henry, who stars as D-16, “Megatron”, on the new Transformers movie, Transformers One, sat down with students On Sept. 16, for a virtual roundtable discussion.

TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. This will be the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie.

The movie features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm..

The ‘Atlanta’ Actor talks about his childhood, career, college years, and what it takes to play the role of D-16 aka Megatron for the upcoming film.

“It’s really easy for us to know the story of villains, we’re not supposed to root for them.” said Henry.

With the movie, Henry also speaks on how he had free reign to use his imagination to create a different version of the robot villain that many have none before to be evil.

“I really wanted to make sure that there was an immense accessibility to the heart of who Megatron is because usually with villains we are always presented with them of like, you’re not supposed to like them.”

Luckily for Henry as Transformers One is the beginning of a brotherly bond turned enemies, he said he expects the viewers to feel more of an understanding for the character and his cause as he is able to “pour more life” into the villain.

“They’re the nemesis, they’re negative, they’re dark, and I didn’t want that for this Megatron. I really wanted people to walk out understanding his cause, understanding him.”

Transformers One will be the first animated theatrical feature since 1986 and a new look into the Transformers universe, bringing audiences back millions of years.

The movie released Sept. 18, 2024.

To watch the trailer, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2NuUWuwPCM