Summary
- Transformers 8 may introduce the Kronosphere, a device that allows time travel with a recall mechanism, giving the evil Cybertronians a chance to rewrite history.
- The Transtime Pod, developed on the planet Theturis, could be introduced in Transformers 8 if the story expands beyond Earth, allowing travel through space and time.
- The use of trans-time dimensional portals, which are safer and easier to operate than the Transwarp key, could be employed by Unicron in Transformers 8 for his mission of multiversal domination.
Since Optimus Prime destroyed the Transwarp key in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts‘ ending, Transformers 8 can introduce 5 new devices to reinstate time travel in the live-action franchise. In its 2-hour runtime, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts dropped several references to the original Transformers lore. While some of these references and easter eggs were direct nods to the ingenious designs of the Generation 1 Autobots, others were subtle connective threads to the story developments of the previous movies. In all of its callbacks to the original Transformers lore, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces the Transwarp key.
The Transwarp key in Transformers 7 is the primary driver of the conflict between the Autobots and Unicron. While Unicron seeks it to rule the universe, the Autobots try to acquire it to return to their planet. Unfortunately, Optimus Prime is forced to destroy the Transwarp key after he realizes that it cannot end up in the hands of an evil being like Unicron. As a result, even though Transformers: Rise of the Beasts makes time travel a thing, it eradicates the means to achieve it. Owing to this, Transformers 8 will have to present other new devices to make time travel possible again.
Kronosphere
The original Transformers cartoons introduced a device called Kronosphere, which was designed by the Decepticons. Megatron had commanded Shockwave to create it to go back in time and extract energon from Cybertron. Unlike the Transwarp key, the Kronosphere also has a recall mechanism that allows users to automatically return to the present after traveling through time. Although the Transformers live-action reboot movies Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts have barely given the Decepticons any screen time, it would make sense for the evil Cybertronians to introduce the Kronosphere in Transformers 8.
They could use it to help Unicron travel back in time and rewrite history by changing the events of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Or, just like the Transwarp key played a crucial role in introducing The Maximals in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Transformers 8 could show how other future Cybertronians appear in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts‘ 90s timeline and serve either as enemies or as allies for the Autobots.
Transtime Pod
When it comes to its inner workings, the Transtime Pod is quite similar to the Transwarp key as it allows one to travel large distances through space and time. However, its origins are significantly different. Unlike the Transwarp key, the Transtime Pod was developed on a planet called Theturis in the original Transformers lore. The Transformers live-action franchise may not have expanded its vision beyond Earth yet. However, director Steven Caple Jr. is interested in exploring other planets and beings in the sequels (via Den of Geek). If Transformers 8‘s story extends beyond the solar system, it could introduce Theturis, its advanced beings, and the Transtime Pod.
Trans-time Dimensional Portal
While most space bridges like the Transwarp key require hefty advanced equipment to make time travel possible, trans-time dimensional portals can be operated using minimal gear. This makes them relatively easier to use and less time-consuming for travelers. Apart from that, most time travel devices in the Transformers universe can cause significant damage to users. In contrast, the trans-time dimensional portals are much safer, causing little to no harm to the travelers’ systems. Given their advantages over the Transwarp Key, Unicron could try using one of them in Transformers 8 to fulfill his mission of multiversal domination.
Time Case
Although the Transformers live-action movies have not yet introduced Brainstorm as an Autobot, he could be a great addition to the franchise because of his ability to create unconventional but brilliant weaponry. One of his inventions is also a time travel device called the Time Case. As the name suggests, the time case appears to be a simple, golden briefcase, often handcuffed to Brainstorm’s wrists. However, as harmless as the device may seem, it can cause a lot of havoc, as seen in the original Transformers Gen 1 comics. Since the live-action movies are creating independent narratives, they can introduce the time case without staying true to its original story elements.
Time-jump mechanism devices
Marvel’s The Transformers comics also introduce devices that can trigger time-jump mechanisms by creating portals to the past. Since these devices allow users to go to a chosen time period, the Autobots in the live-action reboot movies could use these to return to a time before the War for Cybertron and somehow protect their planet from a Decepticon invasion. While only Galvatron primarily uses the device in the Transformers comics, Transformers 8 and other Transformers: Rise of the Beasts‘ sequels can retcon how the Autobots and Decepticons employ it to traverse through time and space.
Sources: Den of Geek
