The Energon Pub

News Credits: 5749 · Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:59 pm

Collider has posted a rather insightful interview with legendary voice actor Frank Welker. Frank discusses voicing Megatron over the years, changes in the voice acting industry, working with Peter Cullen, and even briefly touches on Hugo Weaving's recent remarks about his voice work in the Transformers movie franchise. Click here to read the full interview on Collider.

On a related note, some fans of yours on Twitter have posited the following questions:

-What was your reaction to Hugo Weaving’s comments about his voice role in the Transformers films?

Welker: I think he was just being honest, he was not familiar with the franchise and therefore had no affinity for the project. I have respect for Hugo as an actor and really appreciate what he does with his characters. I think if he knew of the fan base and the history of the “Transformers” he might have responded differently.

-Do you think he did justice to the character of Megatron?

Welker: Obviously I have to feel that my incarnation is best because I am competing. I know when I hear a replacement in a project I always miss the original no matter what the project. I think Corey Burton, David Kaye, and Fred Tatasciore as well as Hugo Weaving all did interesting versions. Ultimately, however, it’s the fans who will make the final decision on who they see as the true leader of the Decepticons.

News Credits: 3 · Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:02 pm

-Do you think he did justice to the character of Megatron?

Welker: Obviously I have to feel that my incarnation is best because I am competing. I know when I hear a replacement in a project I always miss the original no matter what the project. I think Corey Burton, David Kaye, and Fred Tatasciore as well as Hugo Weaving all did interesting versions. Ultimately, however, it’s the fans who will make the final decision on who they see as the true leader of the Decepticons.

A true gentleman, that Mr. Welker.

Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:11 pm

...wow, speak of the Devil. *fanboy squee*

Archanubis wrote:A true gentleman, that Mr. Welker.

No lie, according to a voice acting panel I attended at Comic-Con International 2011, his nickname among voice acting professionals is "St. Francis," because apparently he is the nicest guy in the industry. Like "loan you his last dollar, go to bat for a new guy, drive you to visit your mom in the hospital" type of nice guy.

News Credits: 226 · Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:22 pm

That, was a top interview.

Shame I had to read it, would have loved to have heard it but I could still "hear" the humour in the interview.

News Credits: 15 · Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:48 pm

Welker is a god. 'Nuff said.

Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:15 am

Ultimately, however, it’s the fans who will make the final decision on who they see as the true leader of the Decepticons.

Sounds like Welker is asking for your vote. He's got mine.

We still shake our heads in disbelief that we were lucky enough to get a franchise like the “Transformers” and still be going strong after all these years!

I always find it funny how the actors talk like they're just lucky that they got a good franchise. Sure, they worked with some great writers and directors for a show marketing good toys, but they're the ones that brought the characters to life. It would never have been the success that it has been without them.

Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:46 am

amtm wrote:...but they're the ones that brought the characters to life. It would never have been the success that it has been without them.

True words right there...
So there you have it. The difference of reactions. Speaks volumes as far as I'm concerned regarding who is more in tune with reality.

Frank has my vote for being true leader.

Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:55 am

Frank Welker will always be my favorite. David Kaye's Megatron was amazing.
Recently caught up on some Transformers Prime. I had not really got into the series but the new Meg's character is pretty good. Seems like the actor is really digging into the character. Peter Cullen will always be G1 Prime but this new incarnation in TF Prime keeps recycling "No matter the Cost" "One shall Stand" etc and as a fan we all know how epic those lines are. I'm not sure how to feel about it. I keep hearing these lines over and over again from the movie to TF Prime and it makes Prime sound generic compared to the John Wayne style Optimus prime of the 80's. Peter Cullen is the boss, no doubt but I wish they would let him be more diverse in his vocabulary.

Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:57 am

Welker has my vote. David Kaye is really suitable for Beast Wars Megs only. When he was in Armada, I was always anticipating a `Yeeees` but was left disappointed.
If he wants the fans to reconfirm what they have been saying for years , YES FRANK. No other Megatron is as good. When I heard his voice in the TF movie Game (2007), I thought ok, maybe Weaving was better. But then came TF Prime. And Welker`s performance surpasses everything. Even Cullen`s voice got too commercial and over used. But Megatron, like we`ve never seen him before. It`s a shame he wasn`t in Fall of Cybertron. But now I can finally say, that people will realize why fans are crazy about g1 Megs voice, thnx to Tf Prime.

News Credits: 251 · Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:20 pm

Welker for POTUS, Kaye for VP!

News Credits: 3 · Sat Nov 03, 2012 3:33 pm

Good old Frank Welker, he's perfect for Transformers Prime, especially since the Megatron of that series is heavily based on G1 Megatron.

News Credits: 1 · Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:17 pm

Ill have to give this interview a listen later. I think Hugo Weavings voice works well for the menacing character Megatron was in the movies.

That being said I still think Frank Welker IS Megatron just as Peter Cullen IS Optimus.

Im watching all of Beast Wars right now with my daughter and everytime without fail the wife will overhear or walk in on a part with David Kaye saying "Yeess" and she laughs or rolls her eyes because she has heard it so much. And we just started season 2 lol.

As for Prime Im saving it to watch with my daughter after weve watched some of the previous series. So I havent REALLY seen Welkers new Megatron but Ive skimmed some episodes and watched bits and pieces and I think it sounds great.