Just brainstorming, but, you guys know what I'd like to see happen in this show? I'd like to see Hot Rod introduced into the show in such a manner like this: Since the space bridge's destruction cut off the Earth-based Autobots and Decepticons from Cybertron, there was no contact between Cybertron and Earth, meaning neither planet had any way of knowing about anything that was going on the other planet.
With many years having passed since the end of the Great War on Earth and the show's present day, I'd like to see the Autobots on Cybertron believe that Optimus Prime was lost for good, and had since elected a new leader, with Hot Rod having become Rodimus.
Though, rather than via the Matrix, this Rodimus would have simply matured on his own and proven himself a confident and capable leader through growth and experience. Though, he'd still have the fun-loving adventurousness of his youth to balance out the weight of his new sense of responsibility. He'd be a serious leader who also has a fun side.
And most of all, with "Family" being such a heavy theme in this show, here's the biggest twist on this new version of Rodimus: When he and Optimus would finally reunite on Earth, having not seen each other for the first time in years, Optimus would reveal to the Maltos (and to us, the viewers) that this version of Rodimus... is Optimus Prime's own son!
This would also tie in to why Hot Rod, of all bots, would have stepped up to the role of leadership. He'd want to honor his missing dad by following in his footsteps and filling the big shoes that Optimus left to fill.
And this is all just wishful thinking on my part, but I feel the perfect voice actor for a Rodimus who is both grownup and still young at heart would be Townsend Coleman. Using his natural voice.
