Jarret LeMaster's acting career spans an intriguing spectrum, from embodying malevolent characters like Satan, Adolf Hitler, and Judas Iscariot, to his latest role as the beloved Autobot, Bumblebee.
This Christian actor, writer, and former worship leader provides the voice for the Autobots in "Optimus Prime: Awakening," an animated short released alongside the 40th-anniversary theatrical re-release of "The Transformers: The Movie."
From Ministry to Movie Sets
LeMaster humorously explained his preference for villainous parts. "I don't wanna kiss anybody, and, so, playing bad guys makes a lot of sense for me," he quipped. "They never kiss anybody, you know. They just murder them." He elaborated on the distinction between simulated violence and genuine intimacy: "When you're murdering somebody, you're always pretending. When you're kissing someone, you are always actually kissing them. And, so, you know, that's my line. I don't wanna cross that line." He added lightheartedly, "Playing bad guys really works for my family. And then my kids can look up to me as a great villain."
This diverse acting portfolio presents a stark contrast to his years dedicated to church ministry. LeMaster confirmed that he continues to volunteer and lead worship at his local church, often keeping his acting endeavors somewhat discreet.
"Sometimes people are upset that I play 'Woke Jesus.' Sometimes people think that it's weird that I played the devil. Sometimes people were offended that I would, you know, play Adolf Hitler," he shared. However, one role stands out for its universal appeal: "The one that is not offensive is Bumblebee. People are very excited about that for some reason."
LeMaster's unexpected journey from church work to portraying antagonists began with a call to play a Russian murderer for a sketch by the Christian satire publication, The Babylon Bee. He recalled the specific request: "We need a Russian murderer. You kind of look like that." At the time, he was juggling full-time church duties with his work for The Bee. He initially imagined the company operating from a remote location, perhaps "Idaho or Narnia," only to discover its base was in California.
The Allure of the Antagonist
One villainous role seemed to lead to another. "I don't know why I always get cast as bad characters," LeMaster mused, attributing it with a laugh to his appearance: "I think it's probably just because I'm bald. ... I blame the media. I blame [actor] Jason Statham."
His latest project, however, places LeMaster squarely on the side of heroism. "Optimus Prime: Awakening" features him as Bumblebee alongside veteran voice actors Frank Welker, who reprises his roles as Megatron and Soundwave, and the late Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. The 40th-anniversary rerelease of "The Transformers: The Movie," which includes this short, surpassed initial box-office expectations, leading to extended theatrical screenings through October 7.
LeMaster admitted he initially underestimated the significance of the project because the director, Josh Wassung, was a personal friend. "I thought this was my friend's little movie, this little Transformers movie that he was making for Hasbro," he explained. His perspective shifted dramatically upon learning of Cullen's involvement. LeMaster lauded the iconic Optimus Prime actor for embodying "strength and gentleness and kindness" and "protecting the weak." This revelation prompted LeMaster to reflect on his own role, recalling, "Who am I? Why do I get to play Bumblebee?"
For LeMaster, even his role as an Autobot connects back to his spiritual beliefs. "It's an opportunity to sort of spread good news in the kingdom through, you know, robots," he stated.
Despite joining the ranks of the good guys, LeMaster confessed that portraying Satan remains particularly enjoyable. "I love playing the devil because he is so much like me," he revealed, acknowledging the statement might sound "really weird."
His interpretation of Satan for The Babylon Bee deviates from traditional fire-and-brimstone depictions, instead envisioning him as a frustrated figure in middle management. "What if the devil was an HR director?" LeMaster proposed. He then delivered a snippet in character: "You know, guys, it's been a rough quarter. Make sure that you put cover letters on all the things you turn in, please."
Crafting Complex Villains
Beneath the humor, LeMaster adopts a serious approach to developing antagonists. He seeks a core good motivation within a character and then explores how it became corrupted. "There's nothing that the devil can create in and of himself. He can only take what's good, and he can twist it," he explained. He concluded that the most compelling villains emerge from this process: "You always start with a good guy, and then you can twist it to something evil. That's kind of what I think the best villains end up being like."
