The arrival of Optimus Prime: Awakening in theatres has given fans another reason to celebrate Transformers Day. But this year’s festivities carry an emotional weight due to the tragic passing of actor Peter Cullen, who voiced the heroic leader of the Autobots for four decades.Hasbro celebrated The Transformers: The Movie's 40th anniversary with the re-release of the 1986 film and the newly released 12-minute animated short Optimus Prime: Awakening. The latter marks Peter Cullen's final performance as Optimus Prime, the legendary leader of the Autobots.Some lucky fans have already witnessed Cullen's magic in Optimus Prime: Awakening, which was attached to post-credit screenings of the re-release of The Transformers. The short not only brings Optimus to the forefront on Transformers Day but also honours the legacy Peter Cullen has built around the character.One nostalgic fan shared their experience on X, calling the short a perfect farewell to Peter Cullen and his iconic character:"Optimus Prime: Awakening has me in tears man. What a beautifully animated, incredible short and such a perfect send off for Peter Cullen. Wow."Fans bid an emotional farewell to Peter Cullen's character in Optimus Prime: AwakeningThis year's Transformers Day is more than just a celebration of the iconic franchise but an opportunity for fans to reflect on the voice that helped define Optimus Prime for generations. Emotional reactions to Optimus Prime: Awakening continue to surface online.Another user on X was moved by the 12-minute short film and said it was the perfect poetic send-off of Cullen's character:"It's beyond words how nuanced and heartfelt it was, and the horrible passing of Peter Cullen made it all the more perfectly poetic of a send off to the character 💔💚""Definitely got a few tears outta me🥹 The animation is gorgeous, the voice work is superb and it hits the emotional beats really well. It's unfortunate that this is the last of Peter Cullen's Prime, but this was a sweet farewell." wrote another fan on XPeter Cullen will always be remembered as the voice of one of the most legendary characters in pop culture and Awakening has immortalized him. Another fan resonated with Hasbro's homage and wrote on X:"That OPTIMUS PRIME: AWAKENING short is an eye teary, BEAUTIFUL-homage. Rest in Peace, legend."More details on Optimus Prime: Awakening View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe 12-minute cinematic event is created as a 'love letter to the Transformers community and to Peter Cullen' and will put the spotlight on Optimus Prime for his final adventure. While Hasbro has naturally kept the plot of Optimus Prime: Awakening a surprise for the Transformers fans, it marks Cullen's final original performance as Optimus and is being called the perfect homecoming for the Autobot leader.In addition to Peter Cullen, the short film features a new performance from Frank Welker as Megatron/Soundwave. In a statement on the release of the project, Welker called it a 'real gift' to be able to return as Megatron opposite Cullen's Optimus. He credited the late actor with shaping Optimus Prime’s core values of honesty and loyalty, principles Cullen also held close in his own life.In Awakening, Peter Cullen returns as the voice behind the heroic Autobot leader across animated series, movies, video games and other Transformers projects. Despite the franchise's multiple reinventions, Cullen's booming and resonant tone has been constant, allowing multiple generations of fans to connect with the character.The 12-minute short film is directed by Josh Wassung, with a screenplay by Ryan Parrott. The project proves that Peter Cullen's voice and values will always live on as Optimus Prime in fans' hearts.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.