Just when you thought Hollywood was running low on gas with regard to ideas for new TRANSFORMERS films, along comes Laika Studios' own Travis Knight with a refreshing approach to his BUMBLEBEE spinoff. Ahead of the film's San Diego Comic-Con blitz, Entertainment Weekly has debuted a glorious First Look image of the two Decepticons who're in hot pursuit of the movie's titular hero.
On the left, we have Shatter, a cherry-red Plymouth Satellite voiced by none other than Angela Bassett (BLACK PANTHER, TV's AMERICAN HORROR STORY). To her right is Dropkick, a blue AMC Javelin, who will be voiced by Justin Theroux (AMERICAN PSYCHO, MULLHOLLAND DR.). Not pictured in the image is a third, flying Decepticon, whose name and voice actor are still being kept a secret from eager fans of the franchise. As you can see, Bumblebee will be on the run from enemies both on the ground and in the air for his first solo adventure alongside Hailee Steinfeld's Charlie.
According to the film's official synopsis, BUMBLEBEE takes place in the year 1987, when the timid yellow VW Beetle takes refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. On the cusp of turning 18, and trying to find her place in the world, Charlie (Steinfeld) discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. After some tender loving care and mechanical knowhow, Charlie gets Bumblebee up and running again. As time marches on, the two form an unlikely bond before being thrust into a run for their lives from a group of Decepticon hunters.
In speaking with EW, Knight explained to the outlet that he's looking to give his Transformer characters more personality than what's been offered in films of TRANSFORMERS past.
“When the cast is too big, and you have a finite amount of time, there’s only so much you can do to create an investment in them,” Knight says. “This is a more personal, intimate, and character-driven story, so it felt right to keep the villain plot relatively simple and contained. If you keep things lean, you can add a lot of other stuff on top of it that makes it more enjoyable.”
BUMBLEBEE is set to ride into cinemas beginning on December 21st. Be sure to stay close to JoBlo as more information about the film is sure to come from this year's San Diego Comic-Con event.
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