The 2017 sci-fi action film Transformers: The Last Knight combined returning franchise regulars with major new human actors, historical figures, and iconic robot voices. Directed by Michael Bay, the fifth installment blended Arthurian legend with alien mythology, creating one of the most eclectic ensemble lineups in the franchise.
Understanding who plays who in this massive cast requires looking at both the human leads steering the narrative and the voice actors bringing the Cybertronians to life.
Main Human Cast and New Additions
The human ensemble features a mix of returning survivors and historical researchers dragged into an ancient war.
- Mark Wahlberg as Cade Yeager: Returning from Age of Extinction, Cade is an inventor and fugitive mechanic who becomes the protector of an ancient talisman. He forms the core of the human resistance.
- Anthony Hopkins as Sir Edmund Burton: The veteran British actor plays an eccentric 12th Earl of Folgan who has spent his life studying the secret history of Transformers on Earth.
- Laura Haddock as Viviane Wembly: An Oxford professor of English Literature who discovers she is the sole living descendant of Merlin, making her vital to the plot.
- Josh Duhamel as Colonel William Lennox: Returning to the franchise, Lennox transitions from military commander to a reluctant operative within the Transformers Reaction Force (TRF) before aligning with the Autobots again.
- Isabela Moner as Izabella: A street-smart young orphan who survived the Chicago attacks and lives alongside small robot companions like Sqweeks.
- Jerrod Carmichael as Jimmy: Cade's comedic ally from South Dakota who helps navigate the chaos of the alien threat.
Iconic Cybertronian Voice Cast
Behind the digital effects, veteran voice actors and high-profile guest stars voiced the robotic factions.
- Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime / Nemesis Prime: Cullen reprises his legendary role as the Autobot leader, who gets brainwashed by Quintessa into becoming the dark warrior Nemesis Prime.
- Frank Welker as Megatron: The classic Decepticon leader returns, sporting a new terrifying form and commanding a strike team of mercenaries.
- Gemma Chan as Quintessa: Portrayed as a sinister Cybertronian sorceress who claims to be the creator of the Transformers.
- Jim Carter as Cogman: The Downton Abbey star voices Sir Edmund Burton's polite yet sociopathic, human-sized British butler robot.
- Omar Sy as Hot Rod: An Autobot who protects Viviane and speaks with a thick French accent that he feels self-conscious about.
- Steve Buscemi as Daytrader: A rusty, cynical Autobot scavenger who transforms into an old dump truck.
Notable Cameos and Historical Figures
The film leans heavily into hidden history, introducing historical figures and quick nods to past movies.
- Liam Garrigan as King Arthur: Garrigan portrays the legendary monarch who fights alongside the Knights of Iacon in the film's medieval opening sequence. Interestingly, Garrigan previously played a version of King Arthur in the television series Once Upon a Time.
- Stanley Tucci as Wizard Merlin: Having previously played Joshua Joyce in Age of Extinction, Tucci returns in a completely different role as the bumbling, historically inaccurate version of Merlin.
- Sam Witwicky Easter Egg: While Shia LaBeouf does not return physically, his character Sam Witwicky makes a brief legacy cameo via a framed photograph found among Sir Edmund Burton's historical archives.
- Tessa Yeager Voice-Only Cameo: Nicola Peltz does not appear on screen, but her character Tessa (Cade's daughter) speaks to her father via a brief phone call while away at college.
For a complete breakdown of the film's production history and box office performance, check out the official Paramount Pictures archive or read more on Box Office Mojo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't Shia LaBeouf return for Transformers: The Last Knight?
Shia LaBeouf chose to step away from the franchise after completing the original trilogy (Dark of the Moon), stating he wanted to pursue different acting projects and independent films rather than massive CGI blockbusters.
Is Transformers: The Last Knight the final movie in the Michael Bay series?
Yes, this film marked Michael Bay's final time directing a live-action Transformers feature film, leading the studio to pivot toward soft reboots and prequels like Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Who plays the main villain in the movie?
The primary antagonists are Quintessa, the manipulative creator who brainwashes Optimus Prime, and Megatron, who serves as the physical field commander of the Decepticon forces.
Are there any other returning actors from the first three films?
Aside from Josh Duhamel and Peter Cullen, Glenn Morshower returns as General Morshower, reprising his role overseeing military operations involving extraterrestrial threats.
