Mikaela Banes

Mikaela Banes
Transformers character
Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes in Transformers
First appearance	Transformers
Last appearance	Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Portrayed by	Megan Fox
Information
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Occupation	Student Ally to the Autobots Mechanic
Family	Cal Banes (father)
Significant other(s)	Sam Witwicky
Nationality	American

The following is a list of characters featured in the Transformers film series, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Over 194 characters appeared.

In the four films, 28 Autobots have appeared in the series. Most of them were members of NEST. By the end of Dark of the Moon, nine Autobots remained on Earth. But after five years, Cemetery Wind and Lockdown eliminate most of them. By the end of Age of Extinction, ten Autobots remained, while the fates of the five other Autobots remain unknown.

Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime, the second leader of the Autobots after Sentinel, the last Prime of Dynasty of Primes keeper of the Matrix of Leadership and the protagonist of the four film series. He comes to Earth to destroy the AllSpark in order to end the war. Don Murphy decided after discussions with fans on his website that they wanted the surviving voices from the original 1980s cartoon series, The Transformers. Cullen described reprising the role as easy as "slipping into an old pair of very comfortable shoes that you haven't worn for a while", and was grateful to the fans for wanting him back. His performance consisted of much improvisation with Bay, and portraying the traditional heroism of the character as well as bringing a sense of humor. Optimus transforms into a 1997 red and blue Peterbilt 379 semi-trailer truck built by truck designer Dave Porter of Wright City, MO. The selection of the Peterbilt, a more aggressive truck compared to the original flat-nosed truck from the animated series was also made as a nod to Spielberg's film Duel. The original cab over design was rejected because that would only transform into a twenty-feet tall model of the character, whereas the filmmakers wanted him to stand thirty feet tall. Optimus has red flame artwork on his blue body. This was a compromise between Hasbro, who wanted to retain the character's iconic red chest, and Bay, who felt red alone would not photograph well. Hasbro had previously rejected designs of Optimus which were too blue. Optimus' head was built on set as a prop. In the first film, Optimus Prime arrives on earth with Ratchet, Ironhide, and Jazz trying to find the AllSpark. In the final battle at Mission City, he kills the Decepticon Bonecrusher and battles Megatron. Optimus is unable to defeat Megatron, but is saved when Sam pushes the AllSpark into the Decepticon's chest, killing him and destroying the cube, despite Optimus stating that Sam should place the Allspark into his chest, sacrificing himself so Megatron would not be able to receive the Allspark. As a result, Cybertron can no longer be restored. Afterwards, Optimus and the other Autobots form an alliance with the humans and work closely with NEST.