The Energon Pub

According to reports from Deadline, Variety and MSN, renowned writer and producer Roberto Orci has passed away at the age of 51. Orci died at his Los Angeles home on February 25, 2025, at the age of 51, following a battle with kidney disease. Orci played a pivotal role in shaping the Transformers franchise, leaving behind a legacy of storytelling that helped redefine the brand for a new generation of fans.

Alongside his longtime writing partner Alex Kurtzman, Orci was instrumental in bringing Transformers to the big screen. The duo co-wrote Transformers (2007), the first live-action adaptation of the Transformers franchise, crafting an action-packed and visually stunning film. Their script introduced audiences worldwide to the war between Autobots and Decepticons, blending large-scale battles with humor and heartfelt moments. The movie’s success revitalized Transformers, grossing over $700 million globally and launching a multi-film series.

Following its success, Orci and Kurtzman returned to write Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Despite challenges posed by the 2007-08 Writers Guild strike, the sequel became another major box-office hit, expanding the lore of Cybertron and its ongoing conflict. While Orci did not return for later installments, his foundational work helped define the franchise’s direction for years to come.

Beyond film, Orci played a major role in Transformers: Prime, the only Transformers television series he was involved with. He served as an executive producer on the critically acclaimed animated series, which aired from 2010 to 2013. Prime was praised for its engaging storytelling, character depth, and striking animation. It won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and remains a standout entry in Transformers media.

Orci and Kurtzman’s contributions helped shape the modern Transformers mythos, blending deep lore with thrilling action and compelling character arcs. Their work across both film and television cemented Transformers’ place in contemporary pop culture.

Roberto Orci’s contributions introduced Transformers to a broader audience and strengthened its legacy for future generations. As the Transformers community mourns his passing, we also celebrate the incredible stories he brought to life.

Rest in peace, Roberto Orci. Your storytelling will always be remembered and cherished.



Special thank you to Glyph and chuckdawg1999 for bringing this unfortunate news about Roberto Orci to our attention.

It hurts hearing he passed away at the age of 51, especially with how soon it was.

Thank you for making two iconic movies and an equally beloved show, Orci...

Not gonna lie, this one hits a little hard for me. The first 2 movies and Prime are pillars in my getting into Transformers and diving as deep as I have into it. It hurts seeing someone who so fundamentally shaped my life pass on, especially at 51.

He had some stuff going on.

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/robe ... 236119893/

Wow... first off...My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Secondly. I know the team of Orci & Kurtzman gets a lot of flack among different fandoms, accusing them of "ruining" franchises. All that side, even though I am not the biggest Bayverse fan, I can say this...

In late 2006, or early 2007, Orci & Kurtzman hosted a live online event promoting the first Live Action film. They revealed the designs of all the Transformers in the movie, and gave some details and backgrounds about each character. This event, more than anything got me really excited for the film.

Despite peoples opinions, I believe Orci did have a love for what he was doing, even if not everybody thought it was the best interpretation. He knew how to draw people in, and that is a great talent.

I'm not far behind myself at 49. Just shows how fragile and sacred life really is.

Wow! Rest In Peace and blessings for what you gave us. God Bless.

That's a terrible surprise. While I don't have a high opinion of Orci and Kurtzman as TF writers, 51 is way too young for anyone. Condolences to his loved ones.