The Transformers franchise is splintering off into a full blown cinematic universe, beginning with the spinoff Bumblebee, with new details about the film coming to light.
First, John Cena has joined the cast and will star in the 80s-set film alongside Hailee Steinfeld. Cena has recently branched off from his wrestling fame and appeared in a number of high profile comedies, such as Trainwreck, Sisters and Daddy’s Home, but this is arguably his most high profile role.
The film also has it’s first official synopsis:
“On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug”.
And finally, the film has set its release date for December 21, 2018, with principal photography having begun on Monday. The film will be directed by Travis Knight (Kubo And The Two Strings).
The most recent Transformers film, The Last Knight, pulled in $568 million worldwide, while the previous instalment reeled in $1.1 billion worldwide, perhaps signalling that audience interest in the series is seriously waning. Will a spinoff revive it? Possibly.
The signs are there that Bumblebee is going to have a far different tone than Michael Bay‘s action-fests, with Cena’s casting another indication that this film is going to be a little more fun than its predecessors.
The 1980s setting is ripe for audience nostalgia and references to the original toys, so perhaps Bumblebee can be the first Transformers film in a while to not leave a bad taste in audiences mouths.
#Peace.Love.Bumblebee
