Bumblebee

Did You Know?

• Bumblebee is a prequel to the Transformers film series, set in the 1980s, and serves as a soft reboot of the franchise.
• The movie was directed by Travis Knight, known for his work on Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), marking a departure from the previous Transformers films’ action-heavy style.
• Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Charlie Watson, was praised for her performance, which brought emotional depth to her character’s journey.
• Bumblebee’s design in the film returns to the classic Volkswagen Beetle, a homage to the original form of the character in the Transformers animated series.
• The 1980s setting of the film is filled with nostalgic references, from the clothing and technology to a soundtrack featuring iconic music from the era, including “Take On Me” by A-ha and “The Touch” by Stan Bush.
• Bumblebee is the first Transformers film to be rated PG-13, making it more accessible to a broader audience compared to the previous films.
• The film’s emotional core focuses on the friendship between Charlie and Bumblebee, marking a shift away from the heavy focus on large-scale battles in earlier Transformers films.
• The Decepticons in Bumblebee, Shatter and Dropkick, were originally designed as a nod to the “Triple Changers” from the original Transformers toy line, capable of transforming into two different vehicles.
• The film’s visual effects were praised, especially in how they captured the emotions of Bumblebee, who communicates through body language and vocal sounds rather than spoken words.
• Bumblebee was a critical and commercial success, earning over $460 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the Transformers franchise since 2011.