Hot Rod Returns for New Official Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Premium Figure
Image by Charlotte DavisThreezero is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie with a new MDLX Hot Rod figure inspired by the young Autobot’s appearance in the classic 1986 animated film.
Hot Rod made his debut in Transformers: The Movie and became one of its most important new characters, ultimately proving himself worthy of the Matrix of Leadership before transforming into Rodimus Prime and succeeding Optimus Prime as leader of the Autobots.
The new figure expands Threezero’s dedicated 1986 Movie Edition collection, which previously brought Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron into the MDLX line with colors and details specifically based on their appearances in the film.
Standing approximately 18 cm tall, the MDLX Hot Rod re-uses Threezero Art Director Kelvin Sau’s detailed sculpt of the character that previously formed the basis of their 2023 Rodimus Prime figure, reworking it with a color scheme representing Hot Rod before his transformation into the Autobots’ new leader.
Its body combines orange with magenta across the shoulders and waist, while a bright yellow flame pattern covers the chest, and Hot Rod’s distinctive rear wing completes the look inspired by his animated appearance.
The figure retains the more intricate mechanical detailing associated with Threezero’s MDLX range while using a die-cast zinc alloy and engineering-grade plastic internal frame to provide additional weight and durability.
Around 46 points of articulation allow for a wide range of poses, despite the figure itself being non-transforming.
Hot Rod comes equipped with his Laser Blaster and Blaster Rifle, with the two weapons also connecting together to form the larger Photon Eliminator Rifle.
Eight sets of interchangeable hands are included, covering standard fists and relaxed poses alongside dedicated weapon-holding hands, a thumbs-up hand, a pointing hand, and pieces designed to recreate Hot Rod’s handshake with Optimus Prime.
One pair can also hold the Autobot Matrix of Leadership included with the separately sold MDLX Optimus Prime figures, creating another direct connection between the two characters and their pivotal roles in Transformers: The Movie.
Hot Rod was announced alongside a new Fallen Coronation Starscream, giving the anniversary collection two additional characters drawn from some of the movie’s most memorable scenes.
Rodimus Prime is also at the center of another recently revealed Transformers figure release, with the franchise crossing over with Evangelion to give the Autobot leader a striking new look inspired by Evangelion Unit-02.
Pre-orders for the Transformers MDLX Hot Rod (1986 Movie Edition), priced at $90, are available directly from Threezero’s online store, with shipping currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
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