Bumblebee: What We Know About The Transformers Spinoff

After five films and several boatloads full of money, the Transformers franchise has rightfully earned its place as one of Hollywood's most influential franchises. The series has maintained a consistent fan base since its earliest days back in 2007, and the modern update of the classic 1980s cartoon continues to branch out and evolve with each passing installment. However, things are about to change in ways that we couldn't have even anticipated just a few years ago. As the series moves into the future, it's about to jump into the past with the upcoming Bumblebee spinoff movie.


With Bumblebee currently in the midst of production, we have taken it upon ourselves to put together a handy guide to everything that we now know about the first Transformers spinoff. Click through our guide to get yourself up to speed, and let us know how excited you are for Bumblebee in the comments section below! On that note, let's dive and take a closer look at this highly anticipated spinoff/sequel/prequel!


Is The Bumblebee Solo Movie Happening?

Let's get the simplest question out of the way right off the bat. Is a Bumblebee solo movie happening? The answer is a resounding yes. There have been rumors for years that Bumblebee may finally get a solo movie of his very own, but it took until Transformers: The Last Knight to finally make some real progress on it in a substantial way.


In many ways, the Bumblebee solo movie actually feels like a litmus test for the elasticity of the Transformers universe -- which is often the case when a franchise dives into its first standalone. If successful, Bumblebee could potentially usher in an entirely new generation of Transformers movies that don't necessarily require an ensemble to work. With cinematic universes becoming the new big thing for every major (and even some minor) franchise, this seems like a promising new start for the world of Autobots and Decepticons.


When Is The Bumblebee Release Date?

Although every Michael Bay-directed Transformers movie debuted in theaters during the summer, the solo Bumblebee movie will buck that tradition. Instead of debuting during the warmer part of the year, Bumblebee will adhere to the growing trend of winter releases (which has also been embraced by the Star Wars films) and deliver itself to audiences on December 21, 2018. Just in time for the holiday audiences.


This means that we have only slightly more than a year until the movie finally debuts in theaters, but it is also worth taking a look at the competition that it will go up against. As of right now, Bumblebee is slated to go head to head with James Wan's Aquaman solo movie. Blockbusters typically try to avoid each other at the box office, so smart money would bet on one of those films vacating its spot to find greener pastures. Between the two options, if one of them eventually has to move, our money is on Bumblebee to make the switch for a better weekend. Until then, keep your calendars marked for December 21.


What Is The Bumblebee Movie Rating?

No official rating has been announced for the Bumblebee solo movie yet, but going off of the history of the franchise, we would be willing to bet that it will once again opt for a PG-13 rating. The films are packed to the brim with action and relatively juvenile humor that wouldn't work within a PG rating, but it doesn't seem likely that a Transformer movie is going to aim for a full-blown R-rating anytime soon -- particularly when we consider the fact that the film focuses on a coming of age story for a teenage girl. If you're inclined to gamble, then bet on the Bumblebee film getting a PG-13 when it finally goes in front of the MPAA.


With that said, we are not ruling out the possibility that the Transformers franchise may one day dive into R-rated territory. The X-Men franchise has seen great success with that particular angle, and there have been consistent rumors that the DCEU may one day produce an R-rated film. With Paramount reportedly taking a thriftier approach to its solo Transformers movies, we could potentially see a riskier R-rated entry in this universe at some point down the line.