Transformers Universe: Bumblebee Cast Image, with Jason Drucker, Steinfeld, Adlon, Knight

Thanks to Instagram users Kathyapplebaum and Instasloggett, we have our first group of images from the set of the Bumblebee movie! The images show the crew buildings and some of the vehicles that were shipped in to Point Bonita, California for the film. Most excitingly, we also the first photos of Bumblebee's new VW Beetle alt mode! This is the first time Bumblebee has taken on a Beetle alt mode in the live action films, and two of them were spotted on set: a "hero" car (one used for most shots) and a rigged-up stunt car. Check all the photos out below!

I love those 80's cars. I was hoping they would have an 80's Lambo. But I do see what looks like an orange Datsun 280ZX (at least the rear end of one.)

ImAWalkingCorpse wrote:I love those 80's cars. I was hoping they would have an 80's Lambo. But I do see what looks like an orange Datsun 280ZX (at least the rear end of one.)

Oooh, you're right!!
But yes, a Countach would be awesome. Or an Aston V8 Vantage if that license is still valid/if Paramount's still on good terms with AM.

I'm kinda excited for this movie actually! I for one hope that Bee talks with his real voice in this movie since it's not actually established in the movies when Bee lost his voice the only thing said that is was lost in battle.

So since filming is just starting and we have seen Bumblebee which Transformers do you guys think are going to be in this movie besides Bee? For Autobots while it could easily be just Bumblebee and a cameo of Optimus (I'm sure Prime will have a short scene whether it's flashback or by communicating with Bee) other Bots I can think of are Hot Rod since it's established in TLK that the two worked together in the past during at least WW2 and since this movie doesn't take place too long after I could see how this movie shows Hot Rod separating from Bee and ending up working for the Witwiccans, Cliffjumper as Bee's partner and the sports car Autobot of the movie who gets killed in the end or middle of the movie, maybe another Autobot as well with the same fate as Cliff, this is a personal wish but I hope there are speaking cameos from Jazz, Ironhide and Ratchet who are presumably with Optimus since their part of the same group, Jazz himself could benefit from even a small scene like this since he was the least developed of the 2007 group.

For Decepticons I think Barricade has a high chance of being in this movie due to being Bee's rival and just having been in TLK, Soundwave is established in DOTM in having been on Earth long enough to shut down the space programs which I think was around the 1970's according to the movie so he has a good chance of also being in this movie it helps that he was sort of Bee's designated fight in DOTM, with that said Laserbeak and Ravage could also be in the movie and they wouldn't have to make new designs for them since Ravage was in Cybertronian mode and Laserbeak's robot kibble never changes regardless of what he turns into and it would be some reason for him to disguise himself as a pink Bumblebee during DOTM, I think there could be a couple of other Decepticons who are just there to be bad guys and die, maybe a new guy could be the main con in the movie but I doubt it, for cameos I could see Starscream giving orders offworld like Optimus, maybe a shot or two of frozen Megatron if S7 are involved in this movie, there is also that leaked image from a supposedly upcoming movie toyline that shows a character called "Stryker" although it is labeled for "Tf6" so who knows.

Deadput wrote:I'm kinda excited for this movie actually! I for one hope that Bee talks with his real voice in this movie since it's not actually established in the movies when Bee lost his voice the only thing said that is was lost in battle.

So since filming is just starting and we have seen Bumblebee which Transformers do you guys think are going to be in this movie besides Bee? For Autobots while it could easily be just Bumblebee and a cameo of Optimus (I'm sure Prime will have a short scene whether it's flashback or by communicating with Bee) other Bots I can think of are Hot Rod since it's established in TLK that the two worked together in the past during at least WW2 and since this movie doesn't take place too long after I could see how this movie shows Hot Rod separating from Bee and ending up working for the Witwiccans, Cliffjumper as Bee's partner and the sports car Autobot of the movie who gets killed in the end or middle of the movie, maybe another Autobot as well with the same fate as Cliff, this is a personal wish but I hope there are speaking cameos from Jazz, Ironhide and Ratchet who are presumably with Optimus since their part of the same group, Jazz himself could benefit from even a small scene like this since he was the least developed of the 2007 group.

For Decepticons I think Barricade has a high chance of being in this movie due to being Bee's rival and just having been in TLK, Soundwave is established in DOTM in having been on Earth long enough to shut down the space programs which I think was around the 1970's according to the movie so he has a good chance of also being in this movie it helps that he was sort of Bee's designated fight in DOTM, with that said Laserbeak and Ravage could also be in the movie and they wouldn't have to make new designs for them since Ravage was in Cybertronian mode and Laserbeak's robot kibble never changes regardless of what he turns into and it would be some reason for him to disguise himself as a pink Bumblebee during DOTM, I think there could be a couple of other Decepticons who are just there to be bad guys and die, maybe a new guy could be the main con in the movie but I doubt it, for cameos I could see Starscream giving orders offworld like Optimus, maybe a shot or two of frozen Megatron if S7 are involved in this movie, there is also that leaked image from a supposedly upcoming movie toyline that shows a character called "Stryker" although it is labeled for "Tf6" so who knows.

I personally don't think there will be many other bots besides Bee, if at all. This movie has a significantly lower budget than the others, and CGI still isn't cheap.

As far as other points, at the time this movie is set, the main Autobot live-action cast hadn't come to Earth yet (except Hot Rod). If there is a Decepticon antagonist, Soundwave would be a good guess- I'm with you on that. Barricade has only appeared in odd numbered movies so far (1, 3, 5).

Bounti76 wrote:

Deadput wrote:I'm kinda excited for this movie actually! I for one hope that Bee talks with his real voice in this movie since it's not actually established in the movies when Bee lost his voice the only thing said that is was lost in battle.

So since filming is just starting and we have seen Bumblebee which Transformers do you guys think are going to be in this movie besides Bee? For Autobots while it could easily be just Bumblebee and a cameo of Optimus (I'm sure Prime will have a short scene whether it's flashback or by communicating with Bee) other Bots I can think of are Hot Rod since it's established in TLK that the two worked together in the past during at least WW2 and since this movie doesn't take place too long after I could see how this movie shows Hot Rod separating from Bee and ending up working for the Witwiccans, Cliffjumper as Bee's partner and the sports car Autobot of the movie who gets killed in the end or middle of the movie, maybe another Autobot as well with the same fate as Cliff, this is a personal wish but I hope there are speaking cameos from Jazz, Ironhide and Ratchet who are presumably with Optimus since their part of the same group, Jazz himself could benefit from even a small scene like this since he was the least developed of the 2007 group.

For Decepticons I think Barricade has a high chance of being in this movie due to being Bee's rival and just having been in TLK, Soundwave is established in DOTM in having been on Earth long enough to shut down the space programs which I think was around the 1970's according to the movie so he has a good chance of also being in this movie it helps that he was sort of Bee's designated fight in DOTM, with that said Laserbeak and Ravage could also be in the movie and they wouldn't have to make new designs for them since Ravage was in Cybertronian mode and Laserbeak's robot kibble never changes regardless of what he turns into and it would be some reason for him to disguise himself as a pink Bumblebee during DOTM, I think there could be a couple of other Decepticons who are just there to be bad guys and die, maybe a new guy could be the main con in the movie but I doubt it, for cameos I could see Starscream giving orders offworld like Optimus, maybe a shot or two of frozen Megatron if S7 are involved in this movie, there is also that leaked image from a supposedly upcoming movie toyline that shows a character called "Stryker" although it is labeled for "Tf6" so who knows.

I personally don't think there will be many other bots besides Bee, if at all. This movie has a significantly lower budget than the others, and CGI still isn't cheap.

As far as other points, at the time this movie is set, the main Autobot live-action cast hadn't come to Earth yet (except Hot Rod). If there is a Decepticon antagonist, Soundwave would be a good guess- I'm with you on that. Barricade has only appeared in odd numbered movies so far (1, 3, 5).

That's not always true. This is a director who comes from a CGI background. Those kind of directors know how to use computer effects with small budgets. Neil Bomkemf made district 9 on a 30 million dollar budget and those aliens still look like their part of the scene. That movie still holds up for being almost a decade old.

So, it just dawned on me that there's a possibility we'll get a Bumblebee Vdub toy out of this! I haven't purchased a movie toy in almost a decade but, I would most definitely spring for that!

For some reason, I kind of assumed we'd see a seeker like Thundercracker or Skywarp as the main villain. Not sure why. But I would be VERY happy with Soundwave. One catch: if Bumblebee gets his 80's look, Soundwave has to, as well!

Marcdachamp wrote:For some reason, I kind of assumed we'd see a seeker like Thundercracker or Skywarp as the main villain. Not sure why. But I would be VERY happy with Soundwave. One catch: if Bumblebee gets his 80's look, Soundwave has to, as well!

Yeah and Onslaught's inclusion was a definite confirmation that bruticus was gonna be in Last Knight and Hot Ross inclusion also meant he would be magenta with flames on his chest and become rodimus Prime.

Seriously it's the movie universe

Randomhero wrote:

Marcdachamp wrote:For some reason, I kind of assumed we'd see a seeker like Thundercracker or Skywarp as the main villain. Not sure why. But I would be VERY happy with Soundwave. One catch: if Bumblebee gets his 80's look, Soundwave has to, as well!

Yeah and Onslaught's inclusion was a definite confirmation that bruticus was gonna be in Last Knight and Hot Ross inclusion also meant he would be magenta with flames on his chest and become rodimus Prime.

Seriously it's the movie universe

Naw kidding. Just wishful thinking based on the setting.

Bounti76 wrote:
I personally don't think there will be many other bots besides Bee, if at all. This movie has a significantly lower budget than the others, and CGI still isn't cheap.

As far as other points, at the time this movie is set, the main Autobot live-action cast hadn't come to Earth yet (except Hot Rod). If there is a Decepticon antagonist, Soundwave would be a good guess- I'm with you on that.

At the very least there has to be a hero and a villain because I honestly doubt that Bee is the only guy in the film period, I don't think there will be a lot of characters either but this is my guess.

Autobots: Bumblebee: As the main hero who starts as a vw and maybe upgrades to the old Camaro from 2007 or some other sports car.

Hot Rod: TLK would set him up for this movie as Bee's brother in arms and would explain why he and Bee separated even though they worked together for at least WW2 which isn't too far off from the 1980's (And presumably were sent to Earth together since Bee was on Earth to find the Allspark)

Cliffjumper: Only new Autobot who is Bee's partner on Earth as a counter to Bee in character and would be the sports car guy (Because product placement and to sell toys) and would be the Autobot death of the movie.

Optimus Prime: Cameo only via voice only radio or a mug shot of giving Bee orders to go to Earth.

Decepticons: Soundwave: Would be the main villain but more of a behind the scenes guy and he is established as having been on Earth during the 1970's in DOTM where he shut down the space programs so it makes sense for him to be in this movie and during DOTM he was kind of Bee's rival, he could either be on Earth in a new vehicle mode or in space like ROTf which would save on making a new cgi model.

Barricade: He would be the main "attacker" doing Soundwave's dirty work for him on the field and since he is Bee's rival they would fight a couple times in the movie and as a police car he would probably be a threat to the human protagonist as well.

Laserbeak and Ravage: These two would be sent to locations by Soundwave to do his work for him also Laserbeak like Soundwave was said to be on Earth in the 1970's and presumably Ravage as well and for an irl benefit these guys wouldn't need new cgi models since Laserbeak's robot kibble doesn't change regardless what alt mode he takes and Ravage is just in cybertronian mode both robot and missile mode.

Frenzy: I doubt it but he could also be in this as Barricade's partner, like Laserbeak and Ravage he wouldn't need a new cgi model.

Stryker: This isn't really a guess but I'm going off that leaked movie toyline which is presumably for the Bee movie since there are not many Transformers in general this time around but in that leaked photo there were a bunch of old characters with placeholder pictures such as Lockdown, Ratchet, Crowbar and Stinger but there was a placeholder logo for a character labeled "Tf6 Stryker" not sure if that's for this movie or not.

Starscream and Megatron: Cameos only with Starscream being either voice only or mug shot ordering others around, Megatron if Sector 7 is in this movie would be a cameo in his frozen form only so no new cgi models or anything.

Rounding this all up there would be a total of 3 or 4 Autobots, 5-8 Decepticons but only one or two of those are new designs (Cliff and Stryker) assuming their not model reuses like Onslaught from TLK and only 3 or 4 slightly new models (Bee, Hot Rod, Barricade and Soundwave if not in space) 4 completely unchanged models (Laserbeak, Ravage, Frenzy, frozen Megatron) and a couple of mug shots of Optimus and Starscream if not radio voices.

Bounti76 wrote:Barricade has only appeared in odd numbered movies so far (1, 3, 5).

That's not a law or anything nothing is stopping Barricade from being in this movie but heck he only had "large" roles in 1 and 5 but even then he was supposed to die in 1 but they somehow forgot to film the scene, Barricade in movie 3 wasn't really meant to be there either since Barricade wasn't in any of the scripts if the adaptations say anything about it and if he was he presumably would have had a bigger role, having his police car on set, and his own voice actor instead of using Soundwave's lines.

After what I already knew and what I read everyone post, I'm looking forward to this movie. I hope it really makes a "fresh new look" for the Transformers movies and that it does better than TF5. I always like movies/shows with more explanation and a deeper plot than 'SPLOSIONS'! The fact it's going to have little kids in it is good. That reminds me of the cartoons of the past. Bee (and Hot Shot) have always had good bonds with the kids and seemed closest to the humans in general. Whatever the plot is, hope everything is enjoyable and makes sense.' SPLOSIONS should be a thing...but massive destruction isn't entirely necessary, especially since operations at this point wouldn't have progressed so much without Megatron around. One thing I personally want to see though is Starscream with a more G1 look.

According to Instagram user dbrum, we have learned that the filming for Transformers Universe: Bumblebee has currently moved to Mt Tamalapais (still in North California), as can be seen in the images below showing three yellow Volkswagen Beetles! We can also report that cast member Jason Drucker has now arrived on set, as seen in his Instagram story on his account - images and screenshots included below!

#bumblebee shooting up at the top of Mt. Tam today with some great kit including a chopper parked up at the fire tower pad

Who is this guy?

Welll... I don't know why but I feel this will be a good movie, far better than TF4 and TF5.

I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE

According to local news outlet Kion546, there is a new call for extras to be used in some shoots for Transformers Universe: Bumblebee in Santa Cruz, California! If you're in the area, and fit the 'beach type' description, head to the site linked above, or read some more information below first.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Officials with Paramount Pictures say a new Transformers movie will be making its way to shoot scenes in Santa Cruz. And if you've ever wanted to act, now is your time as they’re looking for extras to be in the film.

The spinoff titled "Brighton Falls" based on the character of Bumblebee will be shooting in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk area from September 20th to the 22nd according to casting coordinator Maryellen Aviano.

They are looking to cast ‘beachy types’ like surfers, skaters, hippies and beach babes and dudes. Extras will be paid $104 for eight hours plus overtime, but must be available on all three days.

Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Ig89ninja wrote:Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Looks like the fan-owned custom van that was at BotCon 2011.

Sabrblade wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Looks like the fan-owned custom van that was at BotCon 2011.

Image is actually from Long Beach Con in California. I wanted a beach photo with a Bumblebee in it!

Va'al wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Looks like the fan-owned custom van that was at BotCon 2011.

Image is actually from Long Beach Con in California. I wanted a beach photo with a Bumblebee in it!

Aw, welp, there goes a chance of this film being enjoyable

Ig89ninja wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Looks like the fan-owned custom van that was at BotCon 2011.

Image is actually from Long Beach Con in California. I wanted a beach photo with a Bumblebee in it!

Aw, welp, there goes a chance of this film being enjoyable

What, just because a fan-owned van with a fake Ravage isn't in it?

Sabrblade wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Ig89ninja wrote:Wait a minute, IS THAT A G1 RATCHET AND RAVAGE!?!?

Looks like the fan-owned custom van that was at BotCon 2011.

Image is actually from Long Beach Con in California. I wanted a beach photo with a Bumblebee in it!

Aw, welp, there goes a chance of this film being enjoyable

What, just because a fan-owned van with a fake Ravage isn't in it?

I said A chance, not ANY chance, I still have hope for this film

I thought there wasnt supposed to be any other characters that we would be familiar with? So then why does that van look just like g1 ratchet? I hope thats him.

RatimusPrime81 wrote:I thought there wasnt supposed to be any other characters that we would be familiar with? So then why does that van look just like g1 ratchet? I hope thats him.

That image has nothing to do with the movie. That van is a fan-owned customized van.

According to the Times Herald Online, who were able to talk to Jonathan JJ Hook - the supervising location manager a co-producer for Transformers Universe: Bumblebee - about what goes into finding the right location to shoot a movie, and some more details about his approach to movie-making in general. Find out some snippets below, and the whole piece here!

For “Bumblebee,” a spin-off of the Michael Bay franchise “Transformer” movies, plenty of it is in Vallejo. This week on Mare Island, count on evenings with helicopters, special effects and pyrotechnics, followed by two days of downtown action.

The supervising location manager and co-producer oversees around 15 people on his team, though he’s handled movies orchestrated as many as 50 others working simultaneously in numerous states and countries.

It’s not a job for the timid, said Hook, a Los Angeles resident and native of England.

“You are dealing with change and pressure,” he said. “But if you’re creative and have a good imagination, you can climb the ranks quickly.”

Hook started as a personal assistant in England doing a period piece that included a shipwreck.

“My job was running out with blankets, tea and coffee,” Hook said.

[...]

It wasn’t difficult to create exactly what was needed in town here, Hook said.

“Vallejo has got great bones,” he said of the town’s infrastructure. “It’s an Anywhere America, Back-to-the-Future type vibe. The great thing about Vallejo is there aren’t these huge chain stores. There a few other cities in California like it, but not that many. The city hasn’t been turned into a strip mall.”

Mare Island’s drydocks have been perfect for “Bumblebee,” said Hook.

So good, he noted, “the ending of the movie was re-written after finding the location.”

Courtesy of Instagram user lethalgraphix, we have some more looks at the current filming of Transformers Universe: Bumblebee taking place at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, including some colour logo stickers, a short clip, and general set ..set-up. You can check them all out below!

Revving up some speculation engines, we have an image from actor and stunt personnel Rory Markham on Instagram, hinting at a military presence in the upcoming Transformers Universe: Bumblebee live-action movie - with Sector 7 judging by the uniform he's wearing. Check it out below, and give us a comment in the Energon Pub!

Not sure if I ever mentioned it here on this site but I called that Sector 7 would be back in some form!

Nice to see Sector Seven again,alwasy thought we could see more of them.

Given that Sector 7 knew of Megatron and he had been in the Hoover dam since 1933 or something like that, it makes sense they would be involved. Wonder if we'll see a little Simmons, like as a kid or something, and Bee is what convinces him to go crazy and join S7

Anyone think they'll use the standard & /or current Bee head instead of a G1 style one I only ask coz he had the same style head as his current movies one during the WW2 sequence where he was a mercedes

Stuartmaximus wrote:Anyone think they'll use the standard & /or current Bee head instead of a G1 style one I only ask coz he had the same style head as his current movies one during the WW2 sequence where he was a mercedes

Why would anyone think that he wouldn't keep his normal head in this movie?

KSBW Action News 8 ran a piece on the upcoming Bumblebee movie headed to Santa-Cruz for principle filming. The extras that were previously sought have all been cast and you can see the video below for interviews with these extras. As said in the casting call, these extras will be wearing 80s themed clothes mainly as surfers, skaters and hippies.

Instagram has plenty of on set images of the upcoming Bumblebee film currently being filmed in Vallejo, California. The town has been turned into an 80s setting with shop fronts being changed. We also see the name of this town being called Brighton Falls, which explains why this is the code name for this film's shoot. And most interesting of all is our first shot of a yellow Volkswagon Beetle showing us what we all hope is Mmvie Bumblebee finally getting his G1 alt mode in the movie verse.

Enjoy!
















These are the following links to the instagram posts if any fan wants to follow residents taking these images:

susie_xoxo
lopez_70_
eddmac42
swtmickey8
gamesat420

A mural in Vallejo California has been painted over during the filming of he upcoming live-action Bumblebee movie. This mural called Vallejo Rising was painted over due to a miscommunication between Paramount and the building manager. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, a producer on this film, had the following to say: “I’m sorry about this, we will do as much as we can do to replace the mural — this was really unfortunate".

The entire story can be read here: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/genera ... over-mural

With them using a VW, I wonder if he'll use his standard movie transformation scheme, which the early IDW comics used as the basis for his design

It'll turn out that the VW isn't actually A transformer at all, just a red herring.

I wonder why they could not just edit out the mural digitally if they did not want it.

WreckerJack wrote:I wonder why they could not just edit out the mural digitally if they did not want it.

And cut into the 'splosion money?

LAKIA Studios on Twitter tweeted a new picture featuring President & CEO Travis Knight on the set of the live-action Bumblebee film that is filming and in production now. In it we get a look at the car that is going to be the alt-mode of a Decepticon. No word on who the Decepticon is, but the car does look nice! Be sure to check out the pic below.

Reminds me of Red Lightning from Power Rangers Turbo.

Maybe if we're lucky this one will be in the movie for more than 30 seconds before he/she's killed off.

it SHOULD be Runabout or Runamuck.

I think it looks like an '80's version of Knock Out from TF Prime.

RiddlerJ wrote:it SHOULD be Runabout or Runamuck.

I was actually thinking the same thing, A vehicle this wild would suit either of those characters. Wait..

"A vehicle this wild" Perhaps we're getting our first Look at A Movieverse Stunticon? Like Wildrider, or Dead End. I'm not saying the Stunticons as a group would Appear but atleast a Character generally associated with them could.

Looks like they just lifted Cliffjumper out of the TF: Prime series and slapped it into this movie as a Decepticon. I know the old model was blown up ages ago, but I wish the show/movie writers would at least pay some deference to the original roots. Autobots were ground based. Decepticons were flyers. That was the basic distinction between the two factions in the beginning.

Maybe it's because having a jet vs. a car in the movies doesn't make as good copy, and presents too much difficulty in terms of practical real-world dynamics and the limitations of filming?

DeathReviews wrote:Looks like they just lifted Cliffjumper out of the TF: Prime series and slapped it into this movie as a Decepticon. I know the old model was blown up ages ago, but I wish the show/movie writers would at least pay some deference to the original roots. Autobots were ground based. Decepticons were flyers. That was the basic distinction between the two factions in the beginning.

Maybe it's because having a jet vs. a car in the movies doesn't make as good copy, and presents too much difficulty in terms of practical real-world dynamics and the limitations of filming?

That's Most Likely it, Also, It adds more Variety by removing that Limitation of Flying vehicles being Decepticon Exclusive. and even in the G1 show they eventually broke off from that style, we got Flying Autobots and Land-Based Decepticons.

i bet the guy is a pos. meaning hes a buddy with the decepticon and we will see him more than the decepticon.

DeathReviews wrote: I know the old model was blown up ages ago, but I wish the show/movie writers would at least pay some deference to the original roots. Autobots were ground based. Decepticons were flyers. That was the basic distinction between the two factions in the beginning.

Maybe it's because having a jet vs. a car in the movies doesn't make as good copy, and presents too much difficulty in terms of practical real-world dynamics and the limitations of filming?

Yeah, except for Soundwave. And Reflector. And the cassettes. And MEGATRON. The faction differences were arbitrary, and trying to assign any is pointless fanwank. Say what you will about the movies, but that's really not a big deal.

Soda Pop Kurtis wrote:I think it looks like an '80's version of Knock Out from TF Prime.

YESSSSSS