Brian Tyree Henry Reveals Why Young Megatron Will Make You Root For The ‘Bad Guy’ In Soon-To-Be-Released ‘Transformers One’
If there’s one person worthy enough to win us over to the dark side, it might as well be Brian Tyree Henry.
Brian Tyree Henry has a knack for breathing life into complex characters; there’s just something about playing villains that really gets his creative juices flowing. And now, as Transformers One nears its release, he's ready to do it again—this time as a young Megatron.
While most actors dream of playing the hero, Henry has a soft spot for the misunderstood villains. In a recent interview, Henry revealed his lifelong fascination with the “bad guys” and how, in his eyes, they aren’t really bad at all—just a little lost.
“When I was a kid, my parents always got me the villain toys,” Henry shared with CBS Mornings. “But I played with them like they were heroes. I always feel like villains are so misunderstood. We're always presenting them as dark and evil, but they got there somehow—what happened?” This is the very mindset that Henry brought to the role of young Megatron, the infamous Decepticon leader.
He sees Megatron not as the dark, twisted antagonist we’ve come to know but as someone who started out with hopes and dreams, just like any other young bot.
In "Transformers One," audiences get to witness the origin story of Megatron and his once-ally-turned-enemy, Optimus Prime. Henry voices a younger, more relatable Megatron, also known as D-16, and promises that fans will get to see a side of the character they’ve never seen before.
“I wanted to get to the heart of who Megatron was so people would leave the theater and be like, ‘You know what, I actually understand. I feel that. I may be a Decepticon now,’” Henry joked, but his words carried a deeper truth.
He’s on a mission to show audiences that even the most notorious villains are not born evil—they’re made.
Scroll down for more details on this intriguing interview...
Brian Tyree Henry says you might leave the theater a Decepticon
The seasoned actor with Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominations under his belt poured his own life experiences into this role.
He described imagining Megatron and Optimus Prime as being around 18 to 20 years old, a time in their lives full of laughter, fears, and dreams—just like his own journey when he moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College.
“I was just this young, precocious, incredibly hard-headed child trying to figure out how to be a man,” he recalled. It’s this sense of self-discovery and vulnerability that Henry brings to his portrayal of Megatron.
Brian Tyree Henry's portrayal of a young Megatron taps into the complexities of villainy that resonate with audiences. According to Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist known for his work on morality, characters with morally ambiguous backgrounds can evoke empathy, as they reflect our own struggles with right and wrong.
Dr. Haidt explains that understanding the motivations behind a villain's actions allows viewers to connect more deeply, making them more relatable. This complexity can elicit sympathy, transforming the audience’s perception of the villain from mere antagonist to a multifaceted character.
Henry’s approach to his characters is always about finding their heart, no matter how dark their paths might seem. Beyond Transformers One, Henry continues to shine in roles where he can dive deep into the essence of his characters. His upcoming film, The Fire Inside, is set for release in December.
Whether playing villains or unlikely heroes, Henry’s ability to humanize complex characters makes him a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As he puts it, “I feel like every man that I’ve been fortunate enough to play is somebody that we know, and I feel like they deserve to be reflected.”
The Appeal of Misunderstood Villains
Experts in character development, such as Dr. Howard Gardner, emphasize the importance of narrative in shaping our emotional responses. In storytelling, flawed characters often mirror real human experiences, evoking feelings of compassion rather than repulsion.
Henry's approach to Megatron reflects this notion. By exploring the character's vulnerabilities, he not only enriches the narrative but also highlights the idea that villains can be products of their environments. This allows viewers to engage with the character more meaningfully.
Filmmakers should consider focusing on character backstories that reveal the psychological traumas or societal pressures that shape these figures, creating a more nuanced portrayal that resonates with audiences.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps
In conclusion, Brian Tyree Henry's portrayal of a young Megatron in Transformers One exemplifies the power of storytelling in humanizing complex characters. By weaving in elements of backstory and emotional depth, filmmakers can transform villains into figures with whom audiences can empathize. Dr. Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset emphasizes that understanding and compassion can foster positive change in our perceptions of others. By encouraging nuanced character development, films can challenge viewers’ preconceived notions about morality, ultimately leading to richer narratives and more profound connections with the audience.
