The first "Transformers" spinoff movie might have nabbed its lead star. Reports say that Oscar-nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld is in talks for "bumblebee."
The Hollywood Reporter cited Steinfeld's role will be that of a tomboy who works as a car shop mechanic after school. Other details to the spinoff are being kept under wraps, but it will involve scribe Christina Hodson for the script and director Travis Knight. Michael Bay, who started the franchise, remains heavily involved as well. Speculations are that "
Michael Bay, who started the franchise, remains heavily involved as well.
Speculations are that "Bumblebee" will be a prequel.
What is 'Bumblebee'?
"Bumblebee" is based off the yellow and black Camaro/alien robot that everyone loves in the "Transformers" franchise. The character served as the right-hand man of the robot warrior leader Optimus Prime.
It is believed that the character Bumblebee long arrived on Earth before his other robot friends on "Transformers" and this will be the basis of the movie. It will be about his life and adventures before the events of the very first film.
According to Collider, the filming budget for this spinoff will be considerably lower than the previous films.The movie will carry a June 8, 2018, release date, should production roll as scheduled.
The auto-robot franchise
Following its success as a cartoon series in the '80s, Steven Spielberg produced, and Michael Bay directed the first "Transformers" live-action movie, which was released in theaters in 2007. It starred Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox and became a blockbuster hit.
The first offering was then followed-up with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009), "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011) and "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014).
The latest chapter in the franchise,"Transformers: The Last Knight," will arrive in theaters this June 28.
Transformers: The Last Knight Enterprise TV Commercial Featuring Wave 3 Deluxe Bumblebee https://t.co/MTmmby4BNO #transformers pic.twitter.com/3MFlzvu9R0
— TFW2005 (@tfw2005) May 31, 2017
Michael Bay said his team of writers had outlined at least 14 more movies for potential spinoffs and this included "Bumblebee." So while there will be solo movies based off the characters, the original story could go well over eight installments.
Is Hailee Steinfeld the right choice?
Hailee Steinfeld is no stranger to franchises. She joined "Pitch Perfect," the musical comedy, in the second film and she's also part of the third movie, which will be released in 2018. The actress also starred in the blockbuster "Ender's Game" (2013) and led the critically-acclaimed movie "The Edge of Seventeen" (2016).
