Transformers Limited Edition Steelbook Set Announced

In time for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Paramount is releasing a limited edition steelbook set of all six previous Transformers movies on May 30, 2023. Its six seperate steelbook cases, each containing a 4K Blu-ray and regular Blu-ray along wit digital codes for the movies. It doesn't appear to have any edition specific special features so assume its the same as has been released already with the individual past 4K releases of the movies. Amazon has the set on pre-order for $153.99 but hopefully that price will drop as get closer to release date. More pictures of the set can be found at TFormers.

Did Bumblebee Save Transformers Franchise?

Since movie news will remain light for while due to its 2023 release date, here is an interesting video that looks at the approach of the Bumblebee movie vs the Bay-verse execution.  Fans of Bay-verse may not like the conclusions but Paramount did sign up for 3 more movies in what seems to be a continuation of the 'Bee take. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Everything Wrong With Bumblebee in 22 Minutes

Took em awhile but the CinemaSins finally got around to turning their snark onto the Bumblebee movie. The list of "sins" is quite long, maintaining their Transformers movie tradition. Its done for humor and not meant to be taken seriously as it nitpicks even details like the Alf episode chosen for the TV. Having said that, some of them are spot on so up to you to decide which are whatevers and which are plot and character holes.

Bumblebee Director Hints Discuss Charlie Splitting, Possible Return

In an interview with Comicbook.com, Bumblebee director Travis Knight explain the end of Bumblebee (spoilers!) when Bumblebee and Charlie went their separate ways. The story beat seemed a bit sudden and left some fans confused but as Knight says, it has to be with telling a complete story. He also indicated the character could return if the sequel story warrants it.

"I'm sure a creative mind could come up with a way to bring them back together, but it was always incredibly important to me that this film, even though it sits within a larger context of mythology and comics and cartoons and films, that this film be self contained that it lives on its own," Knight told ComicBook.com. "That it had a beginning, it had a middle and an end and it had proper resolution. And so as I was charting the relationship between these two character there was no other way for it to end. It had to end with them parting. It's about one of those relationships, one of those life changing relationships that where someone comes into your orbit and fundamentally changes your trajectory moving forward. And it was, he has his mission to do and he has to go do it and she has her life and she has to live and she has to go live it. And they change each others lives, but then they had to part and that was the story that I was telling. And so even though I love seeing them together, and I was sad when they had to part as well. It was critical for what this movie was."

Bumblebee Director Breaks Down Cybertron Battle Characters

In a piece from Entertainment Weekly, Bumblebee director Travis Knight provided input on the character designs and decisions made for the opening battle sequence on Cybertron. In it he discusses most of the characters, a few Easter Eggs, and how much Transformers: The Movie influenced certain moments. Click here to read. Bumblebee is now available on Blu-ray and DVD: Amazon | Best Buy (also exclusive Steelbook version) | Target | Wal-Mart

Example regarding Ravage: “I talked to my visual effects producer who said, ‘Okay, we have to lose this… and this … oh, and they want us to lose the doggy.’ And I go ‘The doggy? What doggy?’ And he goes, ‘Well, Ravage.’ And I go, ‘They think Ravage is a doggy?’”

Art of Bumblebee From ILM

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has posted a interesting slide show that depicts the art work created during pre-production of Bumblebee. The art from Stephen Zavala, Alex Jaeger, and Alexander Gustaveson provides some details about the line of thinking and sources of inspiration for the art (like the 1986 movie). Its actually pretty interesting and worth checking out. To view the whole slideshow, click here.

How Bumblebee Should Have Ended

Here is an amusing video in cartoon form that has fun with some of the plot holes in the Bumblebee.

80s Style Trailer for Bumblebee Home Video Release

While the VHS tape is not actually available for purchase, Paramount has provided a friendly reminder that Bumblebee is now out in stores on Blu-ray and DVD. To fit the movie's 1987 setting, they made an 80s style trailer complete with limited edition VHS tape release of the film that went out to various sites. I got one, as the pic shows, but have yet to dig out my very year old VCR to see if works.

The trailer itself does an excellent job of mimicking the old style trailers complete with meh music and voice over explanations. They laid the screen distortions a touch thick but all those things would happen while watching worn out VHS tapes (from renting) or using old VCRs. If reading this and don't know what VHS and VCRs are ask your parents as they will likely enjoy the walk down memory lane or just be relieved at the crisp clarity that Blu-ray and 4K brings us now. Click here for review and details on the release, links to purchase below.

Links to buy: Amazon | Best Buy (also exclusive Steelbook version) | Target | Wal-Mart

Blu-Ray Bumblebee Review, Out Tuesday

Tomorrow is the physical release of Bumblebee on Blu-ray and DVD. You can currently buy a digital copy of the movie but personally I tend to go for the physical copy as get the higher quality version of the film on disc AND get the digital version for the same price. The release comes in the usual Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy or Blu-ray Ultra 4k + Blu-ray + Digital or just DVD versions. To no surprise, the transfer to Blu-Ray remains crisp with Dolby Atmos (for english) and 5.1 Dolby in other languages. While the Blu-ray did download a few commercials, at least what I saw was Transformers related including a BotBots commercial.

Sadly the special features do not include a commentary track but does include a pretty good behind the scenes videos that actually did something remarkable - it was not entirely about trying to sell you the movie. Never understood special features that sell you the movie that you clearly already bought in on or would not be watching the special features. The first section is the "Sector 7 Archive" which is less archive and more "huh?". The is a quick intro from John Cena as Agent Burns welcoming "you" as a new recruit to Sector 7. After that is the motion comic for "Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle of Half Dome" that is set after the movie. There might be a physical copy of the comic included with your purchase but if not this has you covered with panels getting small animations as voice over tells the story of an attack by Soundwave on a Sector 7 convoy when Agent Simmons is forced to take command.

Final Bumblebee Box Office Numbers

Now that the film has been out for a few weeks in Japan and about to be released on home video tomorrow in the States, seems like a good time to provide a final tally on the box office of Bumblebee. As reported by Box Office Mojo:

Total Lifetime Grosses
Domestic: $127,195,589 27.3%
+ Foreign: $338,000,000 72.7%
= Worldwide: $465,195,589

Overall not bad but also continued signs that more and more the choices made for blockbuster films are going to be dictated by that 70%+ in overseas dollars then whatever US audiences may want. The $465 million total is not puff out your chest, greenlight all the sequels level dollars, but its enough to keep the movie franchise alive and build on as Paramount and Hasbro navigate a future without the Michael Bay approach to the franchise. That Bay-less future aided their profit margins as saved on the cost of Bay's huge paycheck, back end points and his cut of the merchandising sales. Between those savings and tax credits, the film landed in the profitable category probably by around $200 million or so and that doesn't include whatever was made in selling toys, shirts, and all the other stuff that comes with a movie release.

In short, its no surprise Paramount declared the movie profitable and started exploring a seuqel while also not exactly moving full steam ahead as it use to be the next sequel would have been in early pre-production by now. Instead slow and cautious seems to be the approach now as they do not want to blow that profit by losing it all on a sequel that doesn't land. As a result I suspect there will be no new Transformers film in theaters until late 2021 or mid 2022. The era of a movie every other year is sadly done, not really because of Bay but because of the thinking is that if Star Wars couldn't handle that output, no other franchise could either (Marvel disagrees of course). Congrats to the cast and crew of Bumblebee for a successful and entertaining movie.

Behind The Scenes Creating the Sounds of Bumblebee

Below is a short behind the scenes video from Movies Insider that looks into how the Foley team for Bumblebee created the sounds of the movie using the comedic scenes as examples. Thanks to Feris O. for the link. Bumblebee is available for digital download now with the Blu-ray and DVD release hitting stores on April 2.

Bumblebee Home Video Details and Release Date

Paramount has revealed the release date of the Bumblebee on digital and home video along with special feature details. The digital version of the movie will hit iTunes, Amazon, and other digital platforms on March 19. Two weeks later the DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack will be released on April 2. Personally I tend to wait for the Blu-ray release as get the digital + disc for the same price as the digital only.

The special features include a look at John Cena's Agent Burns character and a motion comic on Sector 7. There will also be deleted scenes, outtakes, a look at designing the Transformers in their more G1 style, using "Bee Vision" to get a closer look at the Transformers from the film, and a five-part behind the scenes piece on making the movie. Below is the press release for the film with a few more details along with a trailer for the release.

Pre-orders are up on Amazon now - DVD | DVD + Blu-Ray + Digital | 4k Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital

EVERY ADVENTURE HAS A BEGINNING:

BRAND-NEW ACTION-PACKED FILM ROLLS OUT
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO ENJOY

BUMBLEBEE

Coming to Earth on Digital March 19

4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ Combo Packs Arrive April 2 with Exclusive, All-New
Print and Motion Comic!

Bumblebee Crosses $400 Million

Bumblebee continues to add slowly but surely to its box office draw by crossing the $400 million worldwide total this Saturday. According to Deadline, apparently Paramount has already started development on a sequel. While not officially confirmed, previously Viacom (owner of Paramount) expressed pleasure over the profit margins of the movie so this landmark only increases the likelihood of a green-light.

I still think $500 million is the guarantee point which remains feasible since the movie still has Japan to premiere in starting March 22. It took 7th place in the US with $4.6M. With this weekend's estimate, the movie now sits at a worldwide total of $412.3M. The breakdown is 28.1% US ($115.9M), 71.9% ($296M) International so $500M remains feasible. It may just fall short around $475M but that will probably be close enough.

Bumblebee Deemed Profitable

In a bit of good news for Transformers franchise fans, the Viacom CEO Bob Bakish (corporate owner of Paramount Pictures) has deemed Bumblebee "solidly profitable". The info comes from The Hollywood Reporter which stated "Bakish congratulated Paramount for a successful turnaround, using the latest in the Transformers franchise as an example: Bumblebee, he said, is “solidly profitable” while its predecessor in the summer of 2017 lost more than $100 million.”

This is not entirely unexpected. The film is currently sitting at around $290 million worldwide, short of the guestimate of $340 million for break even (cost of film times 2) but then we don't have access to things like amount in tax credits, merchandising splits, marketing budget etc. that would represent the true value. Its why the 2x number is used. Its at least something to go with that is in the realm of reasonable.

What I am really questioning is that $100 million loss for Transformers: The Last Knight. Considering the estimated budget of that film was $217M x 2 = $434M against a worldwide box office of $605.4M. The discrepancy is enough of a head scratcher to make me wonder what creative accounting Paramount is doing in regards to The Last Knight to reach that $100 million loss conclusion. Break even I buy, losing some money, maybe. But that much? Its a shame that THR didn't follow up on that as I suspect it would prove interesting.

Any case a pleased CEO is always a good sign for the possibility of future movies. Not a guarantee but definitely moves the needle in the right direction.

Bumblebee Scores Outstanding China Debut

This past weekend Bumblebee finally premiered in China. The market is now nearly as important then the United States on helping a movie become successful. The movie has been just doing so-so in the States so being a hit in that country was important if there was any chance of a sequel. Box Office Mojo is reporting the movie took the number 1 spot internationally with an international take of $82.7 million with $59.4 of that from China alone. That take took the world wide box office total from last weekends 45% US/55% international split to a 33.7%/66.3%. Considering the previous movies where in the 30/70 range this split matches expectations. As of now the movie has a worldwide total of $289.5M with $97.5 from the US and $192 from international sales. The estimated break-even point for the film is $340M which likely will be reached. The last major market for the movie to open in is Japan on March 22. Its still too early to look at these numbers and make a prediction on sequel but sadly they are low enough that its not an automatic thing.

Bumblebee Producer Talks Franchise Future and Mid-Credits Scene

In two interviews long time Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura talked about the potential future of the franchise and also the mid-credits scene of the film.

The producer spoke with China.org about the franchise's future where the movie premiered this weekend saying "We probably will make a 'Bumblebee' sequel, and we want to make another even bigger Transformers movie in the future. We have an animated movie in the writing stage right now. We are trying to figure out an Optimus Prime movie, while the Beast Wars franchise has the chance, too."

Of course most of these plans assume that Bumblebee is a financial success. Unfortunately the film is doing just ok in the United States. It will likely crack $100M but just barely. Which is not good considering the film's $135M budget. However, the good news is the movie just opened in China where the previous movies have done very well. For all intents, so goes China, so goes those other movies.

What is success for Bumblebee? There are a lot of factors involved, most of which we as an audience have little information on. So we have to go by what we do know which is the box office sales. The general formula for a film to make a profit is its production budget x 2 to account for marketing, the split of box office ticket sells and other factors. So in this case the break even point is $270M. The film is currently sitting at a $196.5M worldwide total. Its safe to assume that break even will either be hit by end of this weekend or next thanks to China. Anything over that amount increases the likelihood of sequels. I think $500M is the point that would guarantee a Bumblebee sequel and probably a green light on the animation movie. I also believe a Transformers 7 will happen no matter what, but based on current Bumblebee totals, that film will have to make do with a similar $135M budget. I don't see Paramount and/or Hasbro footing the bill for an uncertain $200M plus movie based on Bumblebee's current level of sells. Let's see how those box office totals look by the end of January.

Now for the SPOILER WARNING. The next bit of information regards the mid-credits scene that shows Optimus Prime and Bumblebee having a discussion on Earth. Which directly contradicts the first movie which suggested that was Prime's first visit to the planet. Its seems the justification is classic comic book retcon and does make perfect sense.

“Someone described Bumblebee to me as, ‘99% prequel, 1% not’,” Di Bonaventura tells Metro. “I was like, ‘What was the 1%?’ He said, ‘It is the scene where Optimus and all the other guys come to Earth at the end.’”

“I was like, ‘That doesn’t contradict anything we have said before. Who is to say they haven’t been around Robots In Disguise since then.’”

“That scene was always imagined but in many different versions. We didn’t do that scene until we’d shot the movie. Because we felt the movie was going to dictate that scene a little bit. What happened is that you got to see Haliee return to her family. Bumblebee needs to return to his family. Otherwise what happened to poor Bumblebee? That was our thinking.”

“Plus Optimus said we are going to go to Earth. We are gonna regroup. And then we are gonna go back. In our minds they went back out. It had nothing to do with the other films, and was completely about the emotional journey of Bumblebee.”

Transforming Lego Bumblebee

Here is a great Lego Volkswagen Beetle that actually transformers into Bumblebee. Sadly this is not an official product since for obvious reasons Hasbro is unwilling to license Transformers to a competing toy company so the occasional fan creation is as good as its going to get. If you are interested in seeing the transformation sequence head over to Brothers Brick.

Bumblebee Behind the Scenes Vid; Test vs Final Film Differences

Bumblebee is in week two in theaters and remains doing ok. Still too early to know if its going to be successful enough to ensure a sequel unfortunately. In the meaintime here is a sorta of blooper/behind the scenes reel that is really just a series of very brief moments while the cast was at work.

In addition, if you don't mind a few spoilers, head over to TFW2005 where one of their members's posted about the differences between early test screening of the film with the final film. Its a useful demonstration of what editing and pick-up shots can do to a film.

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.

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.”