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Story behind the build of the world's 1st AOE Optimus Prime replica
January 24, 2020
It takes courage to tackle the unknown. To venture into something new with nothing more than an idea and the will to try. And while the road of life is always uncertain, sometimes you just need to strap in and hold on. Because you never know what could be waiting for you just around the corner.
In 2016, Pennsylvania resident Joe Fiduccia, his wife Ania, and son Ryan became the first fans in the world to build a full-scale replica
of the Optimus Prime Western Star truck. His newest vehicle form first made popular in the 2014 cinematic release of Transformers: Age of Extinction. It was a dream for Joe that was impossible. But it became a dream that was ultimately realized.
"Unless they've been following me from the beginning, people don't quite understand what it took to accomplish this", says Fiduccia. "They assume I drive trucks for a living, or that I come from a wealthy enough background. Like this was just a hobby we could afford splurging on. How wrong they are."
Fiduccia tells us that building a full-scale replica of Optimus was one of the most difficult things he has ever done. Nothing went according to plan, which resulted in hardships and turmoil that would make even the strongest of us crawl into a corner and cry.
"I obtained my CDL just to drive Optimus. I chose to obtain legal permission from Hasbro to build it. With the help of many, we replicated Optimus using nothing more than photos on the internet of the screen-used trucks. And I did it on a budget."
To hear the full story behind the build of this magnificent recreation, we invite you to watch this video documentary from the Optimus Is Here YouTube
channel...which outlines the major stages, trials, and tribulations in their 2016 journey.
Up until the time Fiduccia began assembling his replica, only two of these Optimus trucks existed. The same two that were used on screen, and the same two that remain in the hands of those who originally built them. After successfully completing his replica in late 2016, Fiduccia has traveled across North America and Canada to share his version with Transformers fans of all ages. He has attended dozens of family-friendly events and conventions from 2017 - 2019, successfully raising tens of thousands for charity while also leading a movement to end bullying.
He seems to be on a mission that would make Optimus himself quite proud.
If you would like to inquire about welcoming this replica of Optimus to your next event, you can send a message
to the Fiduccia family at anytime from here.
Students in the small town of Point Pleasant, WV experienced a surprise visit with an inspiring message
Optimus and Joe visited a small community in Maryland for Veteran's Day weekend. And the community responded to support them in a major way!
Optimus Prime and his driver visited Watertown, NY on their mission to help students RISE UP to bullies in their own way.
Students in northern Ontario has a special visitor from Cybertron show up unexpectedly. And the impact was far reaching!
DARE Timmins became the first organization to help Optimus Prime and his owner Joe Fiduccia spread their message against bullying on Canadian soil!
Megatron is out of hiding and ready to take command once again, but this time under the very watchful eye of Optimus Prime
Imagine being 6 years old and meeting your fictional superhero in real life. Well that is exactly what was planned for a young boy in Danville, Virginia.
Optimus and his driver cross into Canada just 2 months after their latest visit. All to surprise more Starlight children and offer words of encouragement.
Optimus Is Here crosses into Canada after 3.5 years to bring some much needed joy for special children, just in time for the holidays!