Few days ago, Transformers fans got a small taste of what to expect inside the December 2018 issue of the Empire Magazine. Director Travis Knight has given a lengthy interview discussing his upcoming movie; Transformers: Bumblebee.
TFW2005 purchased a copy of the mag to delve into the juicy details from the aforementioned interview.
Though we attached the images from Empire onto this news post, we will not post the interview in its entirety. You can read below, our summary of the article.
Spoiler Warning: Some may consider certain parts of the interview as spoilers. You are warned.
#1. Setting The Mood
- Favorite G1 characters: Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Soundwave, Bumblebee.
- Went for the G1 aesthetics – metallic giants with real personalities. “There’s something so magical about the simplicity of those designs.”
- Though Dropkick and Shatter are new characters, they are “woven from the same fabric” as G1.
- Shatter’s look is inspired by G1 Nightbird (minus the nunchucks).
- Dropkick’s look is inspired by G1 Megatron.
- The director considers G1 Megatron’s design as one of the greatest designs of Transformers history.
You can read the rest of the summary and take a look at the scans, after the jump. Empire Magazine December 2018 issue (out now!) can be bought from your local newspaper outlet.
#2. Assembling The Cast
- Bumblebee tries to figure out the world by copying Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld). Sometimes it doesn’t go too well.
- Hailee was so expressive, that some dialog were omitted from the script due to the fact that her facial expressions were more than enough.
- Charlie Watson introduces Bumblebee to the music by The Smiths, but he doesn’t like the band or Morrissey.
- Dropkick is unusual with a quirky sense of humor.
#3. Choosing The Setting
- No globe-trotting. The story happens in the confines of the beautiful Northern California.
- Scenes set in Redwood Forest near Santa Cruz evokes intimacy and connection.
- Look out for a homage to ‘Big Trouble In Little China’ movie.
#4 Shooting The Action
- Director always wanted to do explosions, but he wanted it to be in moderation. He’s not a ‘firebug’. Don’t expect Bayhem from this movie.
- Bumblebee [movie] is a gentle affair with lots of car-based carnage.
- Robots will carry spaceage weaponry while the humans will carry regular weapons.
#5 Marshaling The Robots
- Approached the robot sequences as if they are animated scenes.
- Completely storyboarded all robot scenes. Used animatics whenever a robot scene is involved.
- There are many more robots which the audience didn’t see [from the trailers].
- Full-on battle sequence set in Cybertron is included in the movie.
- Wanted to make all robots look and feel real. Travis directly involved with the process.
#6 Remodeling Bumblebee
- The Volkswagen Beetle has round shapes. It’s approachable and non-threatening.
- In this movie, Bumblebee [the character] is a mech-out-of-water. He’s trying to figure out the ins and outs of the human life.
- Bumblebee gets on well with Charlie’s dog Conan. He’s trying to figure out how to communicate with him.
simonatmac
Sure. Spielberg and Lucas are my personal heroes and they are good friends
jru42287
You must be fun at parties.
Luke Hostad
Touched a nerve?
Digger
Cool.
snokoan
this movie cant come soon enough
Pepperonimus
I don't know, maybe little bit of both? Since the Producers mostly remain the same.
Digger
Huh. I knew he worked on the older ones but why is he still on? Is he just the best guy to do it or is there some legal deal?
Pepperonimus
Exec. Producer, since RotF.
Digger
Wait is Spielberg on this?
simonatmac
Teaming up Mr. Knight and Mr. Spielberg was the right choice.
Digger
Dude did you actually read what I typed? I seperated the old movie bees and this bee. I was comparing. We’ve seen practically nothing of this bumble bee. And he seems pretty tame. It’s not that hard to tell the difference.
Travis Knight is not just an Optimus/Bumblebee fanboy. If so why would he be including seekers, shockwave, arcee and wheeljack in the background? And why do you care so much about Dropkick and Shatter? Like we literally don’t know anything on them. There’s nothing to intrigue us cause we don’t know who they are. And if you payed attention to my post I said Hasbro can’t be risky right now. They need a bumblebee film. Because they have easy faith in it.
Also shockwave doesn’t have a prominent role becasue it’s not about him. Also cause maybe the cybertron sequence was late in production. We can just save him for later. Just be patient.
Movie Convoy
Umm… In ROTF, the Decepticons were plotting to destroy our Sun to make their Energon, a plot which, if successful, would have wiped out all life on Earth. I don't think heroes would do that. True heroes would only destroy stars belonging to solar systems that are naturally uninhabited to make their Energon. The Decepticons also killed thousands of humans in DOTM in their plot to rebuild Cybertron. True heroes would respect life regardless of form.
maurice
I don't really think it's cute when at the same time he can go and kill, he's pretty bloodthirsty if you see the other movies as well.. He's not defenseless either.. if anything the Decepticons will probably again.. I think he's gonna be proud if he does so. And I have no interest in seeing that, I want quite the opposite.
They won't suddenly start making any Decepticon movies even if this one does well. Travis is clearly a bumblebee/optimus fanboy. And I just don't see them doing it, despite many people wanting it. I way rather had this movie had been from Dropkick/Shatter and Blitzwing's point of view.
I just can't support a film I feel so bad about. And in one of the trailers, it even seems he already blows up Dropkick..which I would really hate. So really no reason unfortunately for me to support this. I wish I wanted to but just can't. I'll check reviews but I'm pretty sure what will happen. No offense.
And with the nightbird thing, I didn't mean an entire movie. Just as a character if it's all about g1 why make new characters? Don't get me wrong I love shatter and Dropkicks design. Just found it a strange wording and choice. Why not have Shockwave have a prominent role? instead of a cameo? they made the model anyway.
SilverOptimus
It's out. I got the December 2018 issue, which comes out in early November.
The front cover is a Avengers: Infinity War poster (red/orange colored):
View attachment 28119075
MattDallas
So, can anyone tell me what is on the cover of this issue? The Harry Pothead post made me chuckle but I'd still like to know. Is it the Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts/Grimwald/Whatever cover? Is it even out yet? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Dark Prime
LOL am I the only one who noticed the dudes awful fettishes
Digger
No. If I was I’d be using blue text. But I don’t do sarcasm.
Dark Prime
Are you being Sarcastic?
Digger
Ohhh! Ahaha! It totally does!
Dark Prime
the travis knight photo