Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Octobotimus]

considering everyone else working on the film, even hasbro execs, apparently want it to count as a reboot, seems more of a thing where bay is saying "plz say its connected travis, please !!!" i'll count it as confirmed if the next film isn't a reboot.

[SW's SilverHammer]

XMen First Class was "prequel" in continuity with the other Xmen Movies. Then it was made part of a reboot sooooooo I'll wait and see how true this is in a year or two.

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

This... has completely turned me off to seeing it. I was seriously hopeful,I didn't even know bay was still attached to the film. We don't need any damn continuity with the previous movies, what the hell is he thinking.

uuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrgghh.

The movies themselves barely had any continuity with each other to begin with!

[william-james88]

Both the Bumblebee movie music score and the soundtrack albums come out tomorrow in the US. We are told that the score is even available on iTunes right now (this may depend on your region). Below are the full track lists of each album where we can see that Stan Bush's the Touch is included as well (Good on you Stan!). We also have an interview with the Bumblebee music editor Mark Willsher to share with you. The interview is spoiler heavy, so you can click here to read it on Air Edel Music's web page.

The Score by Dario Marinelli includes the following tracks:

1. Cybertron Falls (1:53)
2. Bee on the Run (2:18)
3. Shutdown (3:45)
4. Charlie (3:07)
5. Meeting Bumblebee (4:07)
6. Dropkick & Shatter Arrive (1:38)
7. Chasing Mum (1:56)
8. Optimus Prime’s Message (2:05)
9. Desert Council (2:08)
10. Dad’s Old Videotapes (1:09)
11. Army Meeting (2:37)
12. A Diving Volunteer (1:32)
13. Pranking Tina (2:13)
14. Bee in the Kitchen (2:33)
15. Kitchen Chaos (1:45)
16. Double Ambush (2:21)
17. Charlie Sneaks Out (0:59)
18. Death and Resurrection (2:27)
19. Bee’s Had Enough (5:15)
20. Ron’s Driving (1:42)
21. Marina Tower (2:55)
22. Charlie Dives In (2:38)
23. Saying Goodbye (2:26)
24. Not Quite There (1:48)

The Soundtrack features the following songs:

1. Back to Life – Hailee Steinfeld (3:53)
2. Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths (3:15)
3. Things Can Only Get Better – Howard Jones (3:56)
4. Runaway – Bon Jovi (3:52)
5. Save a Prayer – Duran Duran (3:46)
6. Higher Love – Steve Winwood (5:49)
7. Take On Me – a-ha (3:48)
8. Everybody Wants To Rule the World – Tears for Fears (4:12)
9. It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock (5:01)
10. The Touch – Stan Bush (3:56)
11. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz (3:38)
12. I Can’t Drive 55 – Sammy Hagar (4:12)
13. Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung (4:00)
14. Girlfriend In a Coma – The Smiths (2:04)
15. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds (4:22)
16. Back to Life (80s Remix) [Bonus] – Hailee Steinfeld (3:13)

[william-james88]

XMen First Class was "prequel" in continuity with the other Xmen Movies. Then it was made part of a reboot sooooooo I'll wait and see how true this is in a year or two.

How the hell was first class turned into a reboot? The sequel was all about paralels with cast members from later years.

,I didn't even know bay was still attached to the film.

We've known this since July...2017

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

XMen First Class was "prequel" in continuity with the other Xmen Movies. Then it was made part of a reboot sooooooo I'll wait and see how true this is in a year or two.

How the hell was first class turned into a reboot? The sequel was all about paralels with cast members from later years.

,I didn't even know bay was still attached to the film.

We've known this since July...2017

,I didn't even know bay was still attached to the film.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Having now seen the movie, I do wish they had gone or will eventually go for the reboot with it. Won't spoil anything here, but wish they went that route

[Lore Keeper]

This... has completely turned me off to seeing it. I was seriously hopeful,I didn't even know bay was still attached to the film. We don't need any damn continuity with the previous movies, what the hell is he thinking.

uuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrgghh.

The movies themselves barely had any continuity with each other to begin with!

Don't let this little hiccup stop you from seeing the movie. It really is very good, prequel or not.

[1984forever]

Literally just got back from the theater. Loved the G1 stuff (of course) but the Bayverse stuff felt different... like a lite version of what came before (same writer, different director?). It was cool to see John Cena’s dad in the movie. Oh, wait that WAS John Cena. He’s aged badly from the last time I saw him in ‘03. There was so much 80s stuff in Bumblebee that I actually felt like I was watching a movie in the theatre in 1987... too bad it was only 5 people in the theatre total. Aquaman had the biggest screen. I guess the theater I went to is banking on Aquaman being the big draw. Yet, there were no waiting lines for either movie, so I don’t expect either of them to do well. I remember going to see DOTM on a Thursday night and the theater was packed... every seat taken, even in the front row. Wow, times change.

Bumblebee is a good movie though.

[Starscream]

This just in from the NO-SHIT Department!

[Sabrblade]

Got my ticket to finally see the movie first thing in the morning.


As for this whole prequel vs. reboot issue, y'all are killing me here. The movie being an in-continuity prequel was likely a mandate from on high, pre-established long before Travis Knight was even brought aboard. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that it was even one of the very first things about this movie that were conceived from the get-go. I sincerely doubt that the genesis idea for this movie was "Let's make a spinoff movie about Bumblebee set in the 1980s that has absolutely nothing to do with the other movies" rather than the much more likely idea of "Let's make a spinoff movie about Bumblebee set in the past as a prequel to the other movies."

Now, whether or not the movie actually succeeds or fails at being a continuity-adhering prequel to the other films isn't something I can discuss one way or the other, since I still haven't seen the movie yet. But all I am trying to say is that we shouldn't go pointing fingers at Travis Knight when this movie being a prequel likely wasn't his decision in the first place and was instead likely decided for him beforehand.

[Ratman_tf]

"some degree of continuity"

Lot of leeway in that statement.

It would be smart of them to not make any declarative statements anyway. Who knows what the next writer/director will decide...

[Deadput]

Got my ticket to finally see the movie first thing in the morning.


As for this whole prequel vs. reboot issue, y'all are killing me here. The movie being an in-continuity prequel was likely a mandate from on high, pre-established long before Travis Knight was even brought aboard. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that it was even one of the very first things about this movie that were conceived from the get-go. I sincerely doubt that the genesis idea for this movie was "Let's make a spinoff movie about Bumblebee set in the 1980s that has absolutely nothing to do with the other movies" rather than the much more likely idea of "Let's make a spinoff movie about Bumblebee set in the past as a prequel to the other movies."

Now, whether or not the movie actually succeeds or fails at being a continuity-adhering prequel to the other films isn't something I can discuss one way or the other, since I still haven't seen the movie yet. But all I am trying to say is that we shouldn't go pointing fingers at Travis Knight when this movie being a prequel likely wasn't his decision in the first place and was instead likely decided for him beforehand.

This is true, we wouldn't be having these arguments if the film didn't go into production as a prequel, that is indeed a fact.

However whether it is still a prequel despite the couple of giant continuity errors for the first film alone kinda put a lot of doubts in people's minds.

The biggest mistake Paramount/Hasbro could make at this point is making this a prequel to the Bay films after the overwhelming excitement over the potential that this film is a reboot of some kind, that would be the start of franchise suicide since people are burnt out from Bay's style of films and I doubt anyone but a few of the most heavily dedicated Bay film fans want to try to salvage that mess of a continuity anymore.

[Sabrblade]

Thing is, if they had really wanted to make this film a complete reboot, there really wouldn't have been any reason for them to have stuck with Bumblebee's pacifier face over a more normal looking face, since it wouldn't have been the same character as the Bumblebee from the other movies.

[Deadput]

Thing is, if they had really wanted to make this film a complete reboot, there really wouldn't have been any reason for them to have stuck with Bumblebee's pacifier face over a more normal looking face, since it wouldn't have been the same character as the Bumblebee from the other movies.

You can't just completely turn it to a full reboot midproduction by using a film that was fully well being made as a prequel, it would take a lot more money and time then they had that's unrealistic.

This film had a smaller budget it wouldn't be wise to hit full reboot mode just yet in case the movie failed due to the awful reception for TLK which damaged the franchise as a whole, which would mean that if they wanted to do another Transformers film they would have to do a full reboot all over again.

This way they can use the Bee film as a small transition movie to the next one to fulfill the full reboot it can be.

Bee's movie design is the more iconic one overall which is fueled by the last few Transformers shows with Bumblebee becoming a muscle car and Prime adopting the similar face style.

There are BIG continuity errors even if you only connect this film to the 2007 film and not just the ending.

[Sabrblade]

Thing is, if they had really wanted to make this film a complete reboot, there really wouldn't have been any reason for them to have stuck with Bumblebee's pacifier face over a more normal looking face, since it wouldn't have been the same character as the Bumblebee from the other movies.

You can't just completely turn it to a full reboot midproduction by using a film that was fully well being made as a prequel, it would take a lot more money and time then they had that's unrealistic.

I was speaking in the hypothetical context of if they had wanted to make this movie a reboot from the beginning of its conception, as though to say "It's not a reboot".

[Deadput]

I was speaking in the hypothetical context of if they had wanted to make this movie a reboot from the beginning of its conception, as though to say "It's not a reboot".

Oh I misunderstood what you were saying I'm sorry.

That is true, this film was being conceptualized around the same time as TLK, I'm pretty sure this film also came out of the writing circle that was put together for TLK (And judging comments they made a certain producer screwed all of that up by smushing different scripts together)


Like for sure this film would have not of been anything like a reboot if TLK didn't go as wrong as it did, when that happened it's obvious things like the G1 designs and the removal and addition of things that disconnects from the Bay films enough were made as an emergency.

Clearly their waiting for the film to officially come out and wait a few months before further deciding what they want to do.

It is probably one of the messiest attempts at a backup/reboot plan conceived but if they play their cards right and they actually don't screw it up by attempting to try to "milk" the empty Bay-style fuel tank again. (You know which individual involved in the film's production I mean)

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

I haven't listened/read the article/interview we're discussing because I don't want anything spoiled for me (yes, I'm still going to see it, blurgh), but I can't see how they can call it a prequel when the Cybertronian designs are all G1 looking characters, but in every flashback to Cybertron in the previous films, all the characters looked like unintelligible twisted pieces of metal.

it just doesn't make any sense to me.

[SW's SilverHammer]

XMen First Class was "prequel" in continuity with the other Xmen Movies. Then it was made part of a reboot sooooooo I'll wait and see how true this is in a year or two.

How the hell was first class turned into a reboot? The sequel was all about paralels with cast members from later years.

Not to argue to much about Xmen, but the thing about first class was it had enough continuity stay connected to the previous movies, while giving it enough room to not be entirely bound to said continuity. I dont believe first class was made with intention to be 100% a soft reboot, only that if it was successful the studio could move into a different direction without being entirely hamstrung by the abysmal performance of xmen 3 and the weight of the other movies. Thats part of why days for future past both ignores the third xmen movie and officially reboots the xmen movies with time travel shinnangins to continue with the prequels cast and direction.

I wouldn't be surprised if the bumblebee movie will be similar. Intended to be a prequel. but gives itself enough wiggle room that it can change the course of a stumbling franchise. If the movie performs well and is well received, it wouldn't be a shock if future transformers movies begin to veer away from the previous baggage of the 07 movie. Bumblebee definitely sets a new direction with a similar but different enough asthetic that it would be to much whiplash if they do reboot using bumblebee as the base.

[Salacious_Monk]

XMen First Class was "prequel" in continuity with the other Xmen Movies. Then it was made part of a reboot sooooooo I'll wait and see how true this is in a year or two.

How the hell was first class turned into a reboot? The sequel was all about paralels with cast members from later years.

Not to argue to much about Xmen, but the thing about first class was it had enough continuity stay connected to the previous movies, while giving it enough room to not be entirely bound to said continuity. I dont believe first class was made with intention to be 100% a soft reboot, only that if it was successful the studio could move into a different direction without being entirely hamstrung by the abysmal performance of xmen 3 and the weight of the other movies. Thats part of why days for future past both ignores the third xmen movie and officially reboots the xmen movies with time travel shinnangins to continue with the prequels cast and direction.

I wouldn't be surprised if the bumblebee movie will be similar. Intended to be a prequel. but gives itself enough wiggle room that it can change the course of a stumbling franchise. If the movie performs well and is well received, it wouldn't be a shock if future transformers movies begin to veer away from the previous baggage of the 07 movie. Bumblebee definitely sets a new direction with a similar but different enough asthetic that it would be to much whiplash if they do reboot using bumblebee as the base.

But unfortunately the opening weekend is said to be a disappointment. 22 million...
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment ... ansformers

[Deadput]

Not to argue to much about Xmen, but the thing about first class was it had enough continuity stay connected to the previous movies, while giving it enough room to not be entirely bound to said continuity. I dont believe first class was made with intention to be 100% a soft reboot, only that if it was successful the studio could move into a different direction without being entirely hamstrung by the abysmal performance of xmen 3 and the weight of the other movies. Thats part of why days for future past both ignores the third xmen movie and officially reboots the xmen movies with time travel shinnangins to continue with the prequels cast and direction.

I wouldn't be surprised if the bumblebee movie will be similar. Intended to be a prequel. but gives itself enough wiggle room that it can change the course of a stumbling franchise. If the movie performs well and is well received, it wouldn't be a shock if future transformers movies begin to veer away from the previous baggage of the 07 movie. Bumblebee definitely sets a new direction with a similar but different enough asthetic that it would be to much whiplash if they do reboot using bumblebee as the base.

This is what I was thinking, while it no doubts has quite a bit in common to the previous films with similar plot elements and art design aesthetic for the robots it also breaks away from the mold enough that the next film could go in a totally new direction.

The only big things that tie in to the Bay films is.

1: Bumblebee's movie/G1 hybrid inspired design as well as the more Bay-type elements in Shatter, Dropkick and to a lesser extent Blitzwing's designs but that's just an aesthetic, a reboot is probably going to have that sort of look going forward with a little more lean to G1 inspired elements, like despite being very blocky and G1 Optimus still has movie type eyes and has the wirey look in the places that aren't covered by kibble.

2: An organization called Sector 7 but this can always be retooled for a reboot as the orginization that deals with Transformers just like how in Transformers Animated, Prime and Cyberverse there is an Allspark which originated in the 2007 film yet has been reused countless times.

Bee spoiler regarding this point. The fact that Shatter and Dropkick do not detect or mention anything about the Allspark or Megatron while inside Hoover Dam kinda supports an earlier line where Dr. Powell says this is their first contact with an Alien species, at the very least it's a pretty big continuity and directing error if this is a prequel to even only the 2007 film


3: In relation to number 2 (Very minor spoiler that I'm sure most in the general audience missed) The small cameo appearance of a younger Simmons, just like above this can always be retooled to a new version of the character just like how there are different Witwicky's in other parts of the franchise heck for all we know this version of Simmons might never show up again, in an interview from a few days ago Travis said his cameo was a late decision and it wasn't even in the script, although I will say they found a great guy for him he looks just like a younger version of the character.


4: Spoiler for end of film Bee taking on the old Camaro at the end, this is honestly the biggest link that continues to tie it with the Bay films yet it's part of the scene that has one of the biggest continuity errors of the film with Prime appearing on Earth before 2007, again they could always just continue with this car and design in a reboot it doesn't prevent a reboot especially with the fact that we see the robot mode which doesn't look like the 2007 design but instead as this movie's Bee but slightly taller and with the Camaro car parts.


So TLDR: it has it's ties and connections but none of those prevents Hasbro/Paramount from making this film a reboot.

[Carnivius_Prime]

No thanks. I don't care for the idea of my fave robot designs ever (2007-2017) having been blocky crap. It's been almost a week since i saw the film and it's just... nothing. There's nothing about it at all I really enjoyed. Nothing that stayed in my mind as exciting me for the next one or new toys or anything. All previous five gave me positive feelings to various degrees and willing to try new things and new reimaginings of old things. This one just makes a mess of it all just for rehashed script, rehashed 80s soundtrack, rehashed everything. Huge step backwards. If you liked this one, ok fine that's your thing but I still don't get how it's supposed to please folk by creating a continuity breaking mix-match of two very different takes on the franchise. But yeah whatever... I'm done for now.

[Deadput]

If you liked this one, ok fine that's your thing but I still don't get how it's supposed to please folk by creating a continuity breaking mix-match of two very different takes on the franchise. But yeah whatever... I'm done for now.

Who in the targeted audience would even have a thought like this come across their mind though?

Only the hard core Transformers fans like you and I.

In my second viewing of this movie (Which was in Calgary which is a big city in Canada with a lot of people and was a full theater, so much so that I had to sit in the front row to see the film again and I got there half an hour before the film started) there was a Paramount representative there who was there to accept feedback after the movie ended, so afterwards I hanged around but didn't talk to the guy just yet because I was trying to be respectful and not take up a line so I let everyone else go first and you want to know what I mostly heard besides how awesome the film and Cybertron scenes were?

Something around the lines of "Thank god it's no longer like the Micheal Bay Transformers films" With some giving an additional "Just like my childhood" type comments.

This film was made to cater to those who have nostalgia for the 80's and G1 as well as those who are sick of Bay's vision, it's not made for the hardcore Bay fans who grew up with those films.

Regardless of what one think of Rotton Tomatoes, you see that current score? That alone is indicative that this film worked with a lot more people then the Bay films did and that the type of direction this film went with is what is going to be used going forward.

It's been 10 years, there is nothing new that a Bay type film can give, it's time for a new vision.

[ZeroWolf]

I've always said that depending on how the movie performs will depend on how Paramount sees it...Personally I think they should just do a full on reboot for the next film, completely clear the state, that means new designs. Also it will probably have better synergy with the gi Joe and micronaughts movies they are planning.

Though let's be honest, this film wouldn't be the first to be a prequel but have conflicting elements with the film supposed to follow it (I'm looking at you Prometheus and Alien: Convent) there is ways around those comments you made Deadput, so as I say it's all down to the films performance (I.e. How much money it makes)

[Deadput]

I've always said that depending on how the movie performs will depend on how Paramount sees it...Personally I think they should just do a full on reboot for the next film, completely clear the state, that means new designs. Also it will probably have better synergy with the gi Joe and micronaughts movies they are planning.

Though let's be honest, this film wouldn't be the first to be a prequel but have conflicting elements with the film supposed to follow it (I'm looking at you Prometheus and Alien: Convent) there is ways around those comments you made Deadput, so as I say it's all down to the films performance (I.e. How much money it makes)

Yeah it is up to the companies of what direction to go forward with and indeed how much the money makes is a big part, I don't know what to expect since I'm trying not to get my hopes too high but there is plenty of factors for why it could perform good or bad, I personally don't think it will be the highest grossing of the movies but I think it will be decently successful especially with good mouth of word since I've seen more positive reviews for Bumblebee then I have for it's arguable biggest competition Aquaman. (Not googling up how good Spider man is or is going to do since I want to watch that film without knowing spoilers)


They could always give a good reason to redesign Bumblebee in the next film especially since (Bee spoiler) He's the only character who lives in that film that has the heavier side of the Bay-style since Shatter and Dropkick are killed by the end.


For example they could have the big bad or some other Decepticon from the next film absolutely trash Bumblebee like ripping his face off and tearing off limbs and that villain purposely leaves him alive in such a wrecked mess besides his vitals he has to be rebuilt into a new design that more so resembles his G1 design in a way sort of like the Goldbug situation, when deciding a new alt mode he simply decided to go back to the Beetle because of nostalgia for Charlie. (Film could have a bit of a time skip like in the 90's or something)