Transformers Team Studio Series 12/21 Roundtable Recap – Bumblebee Movie Arcee Revealed

TFW2005 was able to have a virtual sit down with the Transformers team along with others in the fandom to discuss Studio Series, and specifically the recently revealed Bumblebee movie figures.  Included were insights into the process of designing the figure alt modes from scratch with no reference, a couple Kingdom Wave 5 surprises, and a lot more.  We were even able to ask some questions.  To cap it off, the team officially revealed Bumblebee Movie Studio Series Arcee.  Read on to check out some notes from the event along with pics.

* This story will be updated over time as we process two hours of notes.

Update 1 : Added paraphrased notes from the event.

Update 2 : Added official product images for discussed Studio Series and Kingdom figures.

Transformers Studio Series Roundtable for December 2021 – Quick Recap

Ben MacCrae, Rachel Fleming, Mark Maher, Evan Brooks, Sam Smith

** Below are very short notes from the Transformers Brand Team roundtable today. This is ALL PARAPHRASED, jotted down quickly during the event. We will review the audio and refine later today. **

Introduction Tidbits

Originally weren’t going do Bumblebee movie bots, didn’t have alt modes. Created them in house.

Wanted to stay true to screen form, while making them transform.

Often time licensed vehicles in movie lines and need to nail vehicle mode, need to compromise. This was opposite, could let bot shine.

Shockwave could get a larger version later, just because it’s done in core doesn’t rule out other size classes later.

Q n A session:

Jeremy D – New Brawn head – design process? That comes from the movie side.

Rodimus Primal – Core & other classes back and forth? Just the start, can definitely do both classes for each.

Kevin L. – Manufacturing, boats, time frame on these? – 2/1/2022.

West D. – Is Soundwave based on old GI JOE crossover comic inspiration? Not the direct intent, possible concept artists referenced. Had multiple concepts before this was chosen. Needed functioning chest cavity and accurate bot mode.

TFW2005 – Possibility of doing toys based on concept art for characters that looked different or never made it into the movies? Right now because they were in movie at least in one form – that’s how they justify it going into Studio Series. But if there is demand, they would consider concept art versions or similar.

Vangelus – Digs concept idea. Ravage – inspired by Threezero version? No that was from ILM. All doors open on what is possible in Studio Series going forward.

Ryan Y – Don’t forget about OG on-film guys that need to be done. Fallen, Frenzy, Brains – etc. They know they have a lot of work to do to fill the rosters. Movie 5 for example.

Brain K. – Do these alt modes become canonical in movies or other mediums later? Nothing off table, but each partner will make a decision. It will be another point of influence.

Anthony B. – Why did they do a wheeled car mode for Wheeljack when historically he was a hover based vehicle? Movie team was influenced by G1 earth mode / WFC video game, so they worked with what the bot mode had to get it working. They did discuss possibilities.

Anthony K. – Concept art of the vehicle modes and design process – any way to collect that? They would love to do something, have had discussions. Paramount would need to be involved on the movie side.

Kevin L. – IDW rumors? Can’t speak on that today.

BaCon – Will we see other cassette bots? – Love idea, but would basically be completely made up. No concept art for others done at movie level.

Matt G. – Who was most challenging to create the alt mode? – Soundwave and Brawn.

Ben Y. – Comment – Animation Studio Series – Beast Wars aka Mainframe, Animated TV show, get show accurate versions as a sub-line like 86.

Question – Kingdom Wave 4/5, was it originally one and split, or always meant to be two? Kingdom – was decided to do another wave so new stuff through the Christmas season.

Commentary – Pre-orders showing up early and late, fans having issues with managing pre-orders and CC bills all at once, stuff showing up early throws people off and need to cancel at times.  They will take that info back to team, normally buffer is so that fans don’t get mad at it being late even tho it may arrive earlier.

Matt K. – Slammer a partial? He is a partial, based off airwave. Try to keep them unique even if partial. What’s robot mode based off of? Most research seemed fan related, not a lot of official reference. Takes it all in, comes up with concept, back and forth with engineering multiple times.

Update: Slammer does have a connection point for Metroplex, or can stand alone as a tower.

Brand Team Notes

Four waves per year historically, that’s the plan in 2022 as well – mix of sources.

Studio Series 2022 Wave 2 – May 2022. Arcee and others.

Core Rodimus is Core Wave 5, December or early 2022.

That’s about it.  We would like to thank the Transformers Design and Marketing teams along with their PR reps for putting this together!  We will update and refine this through the day.

Update: Studio Series 2022 Wave 1 will pre-order in December, soon, no set date yet.

Official Product Descriptions for Studio Series 2022 Wave 1

Transformers: Studio Series 80 Deluxe Transformers: Bumblebee Brawn

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $22.99 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series 80 Deluxe Class Transformers: Bumblebee BRAWN figure stands at 4.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to Cybertronian off-road vehicle mode in 18 steps. In the “Cybertron Falls” scene from Transformers: Bumblebee, BRAWN helps his AUTOBOT allies hold the line against the DECEPTICONS before being knocked by an enemy blast. Fans can remove the backdrop and pose the figure out with the included drill and 2-handed blaster accessory inspired by the film, and imagine recreating this classic movie moment!

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect! 

Transformers: Studio Series 81 Deluxe Transformers: Bumblebee Wheeljack

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $22.99 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series 81 Deluxe Class Transformers: Bumblebee WHEELJACK figure stands at 4.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to Cybertronian vehicle mode in 31 steps. In the “Cybertron Falls” scene from Transformers: Bumblebee, WHEELJACK and the AUTOBOTS are overwhelmed by the DECEPTICON attack and must escape Cybertron if they hope to survive. Fans can remove the backdrop and pose the figure out with the included 2-handed blaster accessory inspired by the film, and imagine recreating this classic movie moment!

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect! 

Transformers: Studio Series 82 Deluxe Transformers: Bumblebee Autobot Ratchet 

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $22.99 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series 82 Deluxe Class Transformers: Bumblebee AUTOBOT RATCHET figure stands at 4.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to Cybertronian medical vehicle mode in 22 steps. In the “Cybertron Falls” scene from Transformers: Bumblebee, the DECEPTICONS launch their final assault where AUTOBOT RATCHET and the AUTOBOTS find themselves outnumbered and flee Cybertron in the escape pods. Fans can remove the backdrop and pose the figure out with the included heavy blaster accessory inspired by the film, and imagine recreating this classic movie moment!

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect!

Transformers: Studio Series 83 Voyager Transformers: Bumblebee Soundwave 

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $31.49 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series 83 Voyager Class Transformers: Bumblebee SOUNDWAVE figure stands at 6.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to Cybertronian hover spacecraft mode in 29 steps. In the “Cybertron Falls” scene from Transformers: Bumblebee, the fate of Cybertron is sealed as SOUNDWAVE orders the DECEPTICONS to launch a final attack, causing the AUTOBOTS to fall back. Fans can remove the backdrop and pose the figure out with the included blaster and shoulder cannon accessories inspired by the film, and imagine recreating this classic movie moment!

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect!

Transformers: Studio Series Core Class Transformers: Bumblebee Ravage

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $10.99 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series Core Class Transformers: Bumblebee RAVAGE figure stands at 3.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to cassette mode in 11 steps. RAVAGE also comes with a missile accessory and features attached side cannons and an articulated jaw. Core Class figures allow fans to collect mini versions of iconic characters from the movie universe. In cassette mode, the RAVAGE figure can fit inside Voyager Class 83 SOUNDWAVE figure’s chest (Sold separately, subject to availability).

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect!

Transformers: Studio Series Core Class Transformers: Bumblebee Shockwave

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $10.99 / Available: February 2022)

This Studio Series Core Class Transformers: Bumblebee SHOCKWAVE figure stands at 3.5 inches tall, is highly articulated for posability, features vivid Transformers: Bumblebee movie-inspired deco and converts from robot to Cybertronian hovercraft mode in 13 steps. SHOCKWAVE also comes with a blaster accessory and features never-before-seen alt mode, specifically designed for Studio Series! Core Class figures allow fans to collect mini versions of iconic characters from the movie universe.

Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate TRANSFORMERS collection with Studio Series figures (each sold separately, subject to availability), inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with specs and details to reflect the TRANSFORMERS movie universe. Now, the Studio Series line is expanding to include the epic moments and characters from the classic 1986 The Transformers: The Movie, bringing fans a whole new series of screen-inspired figures to collect!