Who Is Starscream? Transformers One's Villain Character Explained

Transformers One features Starscream as one of the story's main villains, reflecting the character's legacy in the franchise. By the time of Transformers One's ending, the film somewhat reinvents the origins of the titular alien robots, delving into the earliest days of the conflict that erupts between the Autobots and Decepticons. While much of the film will be rooted in the emotional conflict that emerges between Orion Pax/Optimus Prime and D-16/Megatron - played by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry respectively in Transformers One's voice cast - the film will also include other important characters in the franchise.

The trailers for the film teased as much, with Transformers One's new Optimus Prime origin story also including iconic titular robots like Bumblebee, Elita-1, Sentinel Prime, Soundwave, and Shockwave. As Transformers One's Autobots and Decepticons become what is known of them from the franchise at large, many familiar characters pop up. One such character is Starscream, an iconic Decepticon who serves as one of Transformers One's prime antagonists, with the animated film taking a fresh approach to the character that plays into the character's long history.

Starscream's History In Transformers Explained

Starscream Has Been A Part Of Transformers Since The Original Series

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Transformers One including Starscream as a central villain builds on his enduring role in the franchise. Debuting in the 1983 Diaclone toy catalog before leaping from the Marvel Comics Transformers #1 and the original Transformers animated series, Starscream is typically portrayed as one of Megatron's leading lieutenants among the Decepticons. The character is often shown to change into a fighter jet, giving the Decepticons a key aerial agent. One of his defining characteristics has always been his craven and treacherous nature, which often sees Starscream secretly (or not so secretly) working to undermine and overthrow Megatron.

Starscream has become one of the most consistent presences in the franchise and has sometimes overtaken threats like Megatron to become a dangerous enemy for the Transformers...

Starscream has been a consistent presence in the Transformers franchise since his debut, often serving as a constant antagonist for the Autobots and their allies. The original incarnation of the character featured in the world of Beast Wars. He's also been featured in subsequent animated shows like Transformers Armada, Transformers: Animated, Transformers: Prime, Transformers: Cyberverse, and Transformers: EarthSpark, as well as several video games, comic books, novels, and assorted other media. Starscream has become one of the most consistent presences in the franchise and has sometimes overtaken threats like Megatron to become a dangerous enemy for the Transformers to overcome.

Has Starscream Appeared In Past Transformers Movies?

How Starscream Factored Into Several Other Transformers Movies

Starscream has played a part in several films in the franchise, including the live-action Transformers movie timeline. Starscream plays an important role in 1986's The Transformers: The Movie, betraying Megatron at a crucial junction before being dispatched by Galvatron. In the live-action Transformers films, Starscream was one of the Decepticons who swore loyalty to Megatron. He was one of the few Decepticons to survive 2007's Transformers, later going on to help the Fallen create a new army in its sequel. The character was brought down once and for all in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, killed by Sam Witwicky.

Sam uses a Boomstick devised by the Autobot engineer Que (Wheeljack) to destroy Starscream, blowing up the latter's head.

Notably, Starscream wasn't revived in the subsequent films and has only made cameos in other films like Transformers: The Last Knight and Bumblebee. Based on his film history, Starscream is usually a minor villain who helps flesh out the forces of evil in their respective stories and inevitably tries to usurp power and authority from Megatron. Where Transformers One is concerned though, the character takes somewhat of a more active role in the film's antagonistic storyline.

Steve Buscemi Voices Starscream In Transformers One

One Of Hollywood's Best Character Actors Is Playing Starscream

In Transformers One, Steve Buscemi voices the character of Starscream. Buscemi has been responsible for playing many characters over an illustrious career, ranging from comedic supporting characters to devious villains. He's earned several awards over the years, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Buscemi's role as Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson in the HBO period crime-drama Boardwalk Empire highlighted his talent for playing villains and he has also lent his voice to many animated projects, including the Hotel Transylvania series. This includes some memorable villains, like Randall in Monsters Inc. and the subsequent prequel, Monsters University.

Related Steve Buscemi's 10 Best Movies, Ranked Steve Buscemi is an incredibly versatile and accomplished actor, appearing in everything from Adam Sandler comedies to Coen Brothers classics.

Interestingly, Steve Buscemi has appeared in a previous Transformers movie. In 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight, Buscemi played the Autobot scrapper Daytrader. In Transformers One, Buscemi flips sides and takes on a role among the future Decepticons. Admittedly, Buscemi's distinct, unique voice matches the character of Starscream much better, who is often depicted as having a raspy voice akin to his new actor's in Transformers One.

Starscream's Role In Transformers One Explained

Transformers One Seems To Be Flipping The Typical Megatron/Starscream Connection

In Transformers One, Starscream does not actually appear until midway through the film. The first half of Transformers One sets up the main villain of the film as Sentinel Prime, with Orion Pax and D-16 vowing to stop him. As they make their way back to Iacon City, Orion and D-16 are captured by a group of Transformers. Leading these Transformers is Starscream, with the group dubbing themselves the Cybertronian High Guard. Starscream and his followers were once an elite warrior group of Cybertron, yet defected against Transformers One's Sentinel Prime after discovering his deception.

Starscream and his forces attack Iacon City alongside Orion's allies...

Starscream and the other members of the High Guard thus began a guerrilla war campaign against Sentinel Prime, a concept that appeals to D-16, who shares their bloodlust. As a means to an end, Orion Pax joins forces with the High Guard. Starscream and his forces attack Iacon City alongside Orion's allies, defeating Sentinel Prime's own guards before D-16, finally dubbing himself Megatron, kills the false Prime. The film ends with Starscream leaving Iacon City with other members of the High Guard, now following Megatron's rule.

Starscream's Future After Transformers One Explained

Starscream Will Likely Return Should Transformers One Receive A Sequel

Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

To make Starscream's role in Transformers One even better, the film sets up his role in a potential sequel. A continuation of Transformers One has not been confirmed by Paramount as of October 2024, yet director Josh Cooley has outwardly spoken about sequels should the movie perform well at the box office. These plans were clearly established in Transformers One's post-credit scene, which sets up a future for Megatron, the Decepticons, and, most importantly, Starscream.

Related Transformers One's Sequel Story: What Should Happen To Optimus Prime & Megatron Next While ending its narrative on a well-rounded note, Transformers One also paves the way for new future story developments for Megatron & Optimus Prime.

In this scene, Megatron is shown hiding out on Cybertron after being banished by Optimus Prime. The members of the High Guard that chose to follow him are also present, including Starscream. Starscream is one of the few Transformers shown to have the insignia of Megatronus Prime, the inspiration of D-16's Megatron, branded onto his body as other members of the High Guard do so. This proves that Starscream is a loyal follower of Megatron now, as the latter dubs his followers the Decepticons, setting up the iconic war to follow with the Autobots for a Transformers One sequel.