‘Transformers’ Goes Retro with ‘Bumblebee’ Trailer
Bumblebee and the 'Transformers' franchise are going back to basics for the upcoming spin-off film
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev via GNU
Spin-off films seem to be all the rage these days. Between the recent Solo: A Star Wars Story and the upcoming Venom film, studios are looking to shine the spotlight on some of their franchise’s most popular characters. And when it comes to the Transformers franchise, it’s hard to top the popularity of Bumblebee. That’s why it came as no surprise when a spin-off focusing on the character was first announced. Now, the Bumblebee trailer has finally hit the web.
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A look at ‘Bumblebee’
Even with the questionable reception of the Transformers film franchise, many fans are cautiously optimistic about the Bumblebee movie. The oft-derided Michael Bay is out, and has been replaced in the director’s chair by Travis Knight. This shakeup seems indicative of the different direction Paramount is hoping to take the franchise; Knight is well known for his work on family films, including the critically-acclaimed Kubo and the Two Strings.
Indeed, much of the newly released trailer seems to be lacking in Bay’s signature bombastic directing style. Instead, it seems to focus more on a heartfelt and touching story.
That story will see teenager Charlie Watson, played by Hailee Steinfeld, become embroiled in the long-running battle between the Autobots and Decepticons when she comes to own a very special Volkswagen Beetle. Old-school Transformers fans will immediately recognize this classic yellow vehicle as Bumblebee’s disguise from the original 1984 cartoon series.
As mentioned above, the trailer seems more akin to something like E.T. or The Iron Giant than a Transformers flick. But rest assured, there is plenty of action teased. We see a few scenes of Bumblebee on the move, as well as shots of fan-favorite Decepticon Starscream in a welcome return to his iconic 80’s look.
Of course, no giant robot can hold a candle to the film’s true biggest star: John Cena. The wrestler-turned-actor — who is still very much alive — is playing Sector 7 agent Burns in the film.
Watch the trailer below:
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Despite the box-office popularity of the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee’s stiff theatrical competition may challenge its success. With anticipated blockbusters like Aquaman, Alita: Battle Angel, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Mary Poppins Returns releasing in the same window, it’s anyone’s guess how this new spin on the franchise will fare.
Bumblebee releases on Dec. 21.
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