Beast Wars Megatron Says Merry Christmas

The yearly tradition continues as David Kaye posted his traditional Merry Christmas message in the voice of Beast Wars Megatron.

Bumblebee Weekend Box Office Lands in Third Place

This weekend was chock full of new movies after nearly three weeks of quiet weekends. On the surface it seems like a mistake to release Bumblebee against Aquaman, and Mary Poppins Returns all of whom are competing for essentially same set of eyeballs. The thinking however is is they could take advantage of all school grades and colleges going on Christmas break starting this past weekend. On paper, its not a bad idea, in reality it just reads like they cannibalized each other while letting Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Ralph Breaks the Internet enjoy a few weeks of little competition. Having said all that, the Holiday releases should not be judged the same as the Summer releases. Where summer is a sprint where the first two weeks of box office matter the most, Christmas time is more of a marathon where a movie could benefit from over a month of steady sells to increase their profits. So its in this context that I let you know that Bumblebee just had an ok weekend release. No great but not alarming either. It was in an expected range.

Aquaman won the weekend box office with a $67.4 million opening, Mary Poppings Returns took $22.2M, Bumblebee took third at $21M, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was at $16.7M, and fifth goes to The Mule at $9.9M. My take is its a great weekend for family films but since most families can only afford to see a single movie a weekend, the result is over $100+ million in ticket sales got spread around instead of channeled to a single movie as we would normally see for a summer release. Internationally, Aquaman added $91.3 from 70 markets, Mary Poppins Returns $20.3M in 17 markets, and Bumblebee $31.3M from 38 markets. In short, I suspect all those numbers to more or less double by the time Christmas ends and these three films will enjoy good box office runs. Exactly where Bumblebee will land is too early to say but I suspect that Paramount and Hasbro will consider any number above $500 million worldwide box office total to be a very successful release that will speed up sequel talks and increase pressure to get a new franchise installment out sooner rather then later.

Debating if will right a formal review of the movie. The quick version is its a highly entertaining movie, running neck in neck with the first movie. The movie does away with all the Bay-isms. The robot designs are great with an excellent mix of Bay-verse detail with G1 aesthetic, frequent use of transformations not just for humor but as a means of attack and defense, easy to follow action sequences that do not rely on fast edits or shaky cam to convey what is occurring, developed characters, and a tease of the kind of epic storytelling Transformers is capable of in the right hands. Its the touchstone that future Transformers films can follow. The film is a prequel to the previous movies but lets just say that there are many parts where its clear the continuity to those films was not considered that important. I highly recommend you go see it.

Hasbro Cancels Hascon 2019

Seems that when it comes to Hasbro marketing itself, it just cannot get it right. The toy company has announced that it has "postponed". You really can't "postpone" a convention. There are too many moving parts so the only way to take this is as an outright lie from Hasbro to its fans. Their PR department basically went overboard in trying to soften the news, probably more out of habit then evaluating whether they needed to or not.

This doesn't seem like much but keep in mind the history if you are a convention going Transformers fan. From 1994 to 2016 there was the successful Botcon which Hasbro purposely killed for Hascon which was held in 2017. They then skipped 2018 and now have cancelled the 2019 convention. It makes the ending of Botcon seem even more idiotic with time. Toys R Us closing did more damage to the company then they care to admit and this is one of those indicators of that.

Transformers Producer Indicates Cybertron Animated Movie in Works

In an interview with Metro USA, Transformers producer Lorenzo diBonaventura hinted at the current plans that Paramount and Hasbro are considering for the franchise. To start, their are currently no plans for Bumblebee 2 but that is likely because the studio is simply waiting to see how the first movie does. As for other movies, he said "“We actually have an animated movie in the works that will tell the whole Cybertron mythology. The fans will love that,” diBonaventura teases. “We’re trying to figure out an [Optimus Prime solo movie].”

“It will be hard with Optimus, he is always right, very stoic and is a man of few words … It is kind of like saying, ‘Lets do a movie about Obi-Wan Kenobi?’ But how much is there to say about Obi-Wan? It is not so easy."

“The best franchises are a living breathing thing. We knew we could whatever we wanted with this. From the look, to the time period to the aesthetic to what we were trying to accomplish to the very small plot. There wasn’t a big plot. It was important. But we were constantly moving on.”

Bumblebee Director Talks G1 Designs

Here is a new featurette with Bumblebee director Travis Knight as he discusses his approach to the G1 inspired character designs for the Transformers in the movie. Personally what I found striking was his description was about the look and character of each one where in when Bay talked about the characters it was all about the technical details and volume of moving aparts. Highlights how something as simple as your starting point can influence what follows.

Bumblebee In US Theaters Today, New Clips

A friendly reminder that Bumblebee is now in US theaters. Some other countries either already have it or will be getting it soon. In the meantime below is a clip of the fight between 'Bee and Blitzwing. After that is Hailee Steinfeld on Jimmy Fallon with another clip. Additionally below are a few quotes from an io9 article about developing the story for movie. In short it basically confirms (as if any doubt), that this is a prequel to the Bay films.

“If we’re going to tell an origin story about a Transformer, it made sense we would set it in the era that the Transformers originated, the mid-’80s,” [writer Christina] Knight told io9. “Which is perfect for me because that’s when I was exposed to them. I was a child of that era and it was an opportunity to go back and draw some of these aspects of my childhood that really meant a lot to me.”

The movie hasn’t changed a whole lot since I first pitched in summer of 2015,” Hodson, who is also writing the upcoming Birds of Prey and Batgirl, told io9. “I pitched it then and obviously they went and made the other movie. Then I wrote the first draft of this in the fall of 2016 and it honestly has stayed true. Certainly, the big broad strokes of the emotional journeys, key set pieces, all remain the same. Now, it’s gotten bigger in some ways. We’ve added more fun. We got to go to Cybertron! But the heart of it really remained the same.”

“The important thing was not only that it had some connective tissue with the films Michael has made but that it had some deep connective tissue with the origins of the series,” [director Travis] Knight said.

According to Knight, problems arose because many felt “Michael’s aesthetic has been the defining aspect of these live-action films” and that there was a sense of “this is what a Transformers film is.” Eventually, though, he was able to coax them into it.

“People got on board pretty quickly but there was a little bit of hesitation,” he said. “[But] it was a real thrill bringing these characters to life in the way that I’d always envisioned them on the big screen. I was having the time of my life.”

“I had this whole thing boarded where we’re where we see [Decepticon leader] Megatron and he comes in like Sauron, just blowing shit up and laying waste to everything,” Knight said. However, he then realized in this world, Megatron is currently frozen on Earth, as seen in 2007's Transformers, so that was out.

“So even though I really wanted to see G1 Megatron on the battlefield at the fall Cybertron, I couldn’t do it,” he said. “But I wanted to fit as much of this G1 stuff I loved in there, and so I put my favorite characters in. Obviously there are ones I wish I could put in there, and I would love to see an entire movie about the fall of Cybertron because I think it’s awesome, but just to be able to visit it for a moment, to see the Cybertron of my imaginations on the big screen, it was a real thrill.”

IDW Transformers Reboot Begins in March

IDW has announced that Transformers will return to comic book stores on March 2019. The current run of IDW's Transformers series that began with Infiltration and ended with Unicron (and Optimus Prime #25) is considered a complete end to that version of the Transformers continuity. The new version will begin...well at the beginning. With a new take on what sparked the Cybertronian Civil War (or whatever name eventually gets assigned it). The bi-monthly series will be written by Brian Ruckley, illustrated by Angel Hernandez and Ron Joseph with issue 1 published sometime in early March 2019.

In this new Transformers comic, IDW will explore Cybertron, delving into an idyllic society, peaceful for thousands of years, as it faces the most momentous event in its history: the mysterious end of a single life. Through the eyes of young Bumblebee and his friends, fans will witness conspiracies forming, harmony giving way to conflict, and the very fabric of Cybertronian civilization tearing itself apart.

“Bringing Transformers fans this story is a real privilege,” says Brian Ruckley. “But just as important, it’s an amazing opportunity for new readers to discover and explore one of the biggest universes – and one of the best casts of characters – that science fiction has to offer, and to get in right at the start of a truly epic saga.”

Ron Joseph says, “In my youth, I devoured everything Transformers – toys, comics, the cartoon, the movie – with a Unicron-like hunger. ‘Robots in Disguise’ dominated my every waking moment. To join IDW’s creative team for the launch of a Transformers comic is staggering, and easily one of the greatest moments of my life.”

“We are eager to begin this new chapter in Transformers storytelling,” says Michael Kelly, Hasbro’s Vice President of Global Publishing. “We are excited to begin a tale that will be accessible and appealing to readers unfamiliar with Transformers lore, while still providing the depth and drama that our long-time fans expect. It’s a big responsibility, but we’ve got the right team and the right characters to do it.”

New TV Spot and Two Actor Featurettes for Bumblebee

Here is a new TV spot from Bumblebee that reminds you the movie hits theaters Thursday night. After that are two featurettes with Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena talking about their characters. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Spoiler Warning - The End of the Bumblebee Movie

We are one week away from the release Bumblebee to theaters. The reviews remain positive. Below after some spoiler space is a minute from the ending of the movie. It doesn't reveal specifics about the story itself but it still is a spoiler with a few easter eggs for G1 and movie fans. Up to you to enjoy it or wait until next week. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Spoiler Warning!

New Bumblebee Clip and Three Posters

From Paramount Pictures Australia, here is a new amusing clip from Bumblebee along with new posters featuring the Decepticon triple-changers Shatter and Dropkick. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Bumblebee Chase Clip, Red Carpet Video, Interviews and a Touch of Fan Edit

This past weekend Bumblebee had a preview in some US theaters. From various things I have read the over all consensus is the best movie of the franchise with a lot of humor and fun. For the rest of us, we get to wait until December 21 (or later depending on country), here is some new stuff to promote the movie. The first video is a new clip of a police chase sequence that makes genuine creative use of a Transformers transformation capabilities. The next is a fan edit for G1 fans that inserts Stan Bush's The Touch as the trailer song. The third is from Fox 5 of Washington, DC as their entertainment reporter conducts brief interviews with director Travis Knight, Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, and Angela Bassett. The last video is little over an hour long from the red carpet premiere of Bumblebee at the TLC Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Bunch of New Bumblebee TV Spots, Clip and Triple-Changer Featurette

Here is a bunch of new stuff for Bumblebee from around the world. The first video is a clip of the Decepticons arriving to a meeting with Sector 7 on a mission of "peace". The second and third video are featurettes focusing on 'Bee voice and triple-changers. The last three videos are TV spots that let you hear Soundwave's voice, see 'Bee try to take out Blitzwing (nope the jet isn't Starscream even though could be his G1 twin). Thanks to Feris O. for the heads-up. After the opening "new" thing (getting hard to tell sometimes), the rest of the video is padded with trailers and other TV spots.

New Bumblebee TV Spot Invokes Ferris Bueller

Here is a new TV spot for Bumblebee that invokes a little Ferris Bueller and the 80s with its song choice. After that is a rental car tie-in add and a few international TV spots from various social media sources. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

More TV Spots and New Clip from Bumblebee

Below is a few new TV spots from Bumblebee. Also in the first video, a little after the 1st minute, is a new clip that shows Sector 7 with John Cena confronting 'Bee and the gang. One thing I keep noticing is something that was missing from most of the Bay films which is actual transformations. On screen and not hidden with edits or camera tricks. A lot of them too. They also seem far less complex (thus less of a burden on the budget) with a quick sequence that seems inspired from the cartoons so that the details of a transformation sequence are fudged to a great degree. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Bumblebee Voice Actor Revealed

In hindsight, considering the flashbacks shown in the trailers, it was obvious that the voice of Bumblebee would be heard again. After all it makes sense for the origin story of the character to include the origin of his voice problem. IGN has now revealed that the new voice actor for Bumblebee will be Dylan O'Brien (Maze Runner, Teen Wolf). The last time we heard 'Bee voice was when it magically returned in Transformers: The Last Knight as voiced by actor Erik Aadahl. Until recently, Will Friedle was the voice actor in various cartoons. Like in all other post-2007 iterations of the character, I suspect the voice work will just be a few lines here and there.

"Since we were approaching this as an origin story, we felt that it was appropriate that you got to hear his voice," [Transformers franchise producer Lorenzo] di Bonaventura said of the character who thus far has only been able to communicate using existing media. "That’s the simple logic that we employed. The longer term implication of that is different. But the short-term implication of that is, since we really are resetting the mythology, essentially, of who Bumblebee is. And so, that seemed to us to be the appropriate, to get the chance to hear what he sounds like."

"Dylan has that great quality in his voice of youthful exuberance, and also sort of trustworthiness," the producer explained. "I think those are the two qualities that we wanted Bumblebee to have."

Personally I will be glad when Hasbro abandons the nonsense of Bumblebee communicating through radio as it remains an unnecessary gimmick.