The Energon Pub

[TulioDude]

Bumblebee looks way to sleak,but I'm interested on how they animate his transformation.

[WreckerJack]

Bumblebee looks way to sleak,but I'm interested on how they animate his transformation.

Yeah he looks a lot better than the previous pics but the eyes still creep me out. Its like those dinner plate size anime eyes but with no pupils. *shivers*

[Sabrblade]

Looks like the evergreen designs are fully taking over the mainstream non-Movie media.

[Va'al]

A new article over on License Global, in light of the upcoming Licensing Expo 2018, at which Hasbro will be presenting its new line-ups of merchadise for the Bumblebee movie and potentially their other media endeavours such as Cyberverse and Rescue Bots Academy, as well as the IDW Publishing comics, sheds some light on where the future of the Transformers franchise is headed - at least, according to Hasbro's head honchos, and their 'blueprint'.

Bumblebee, of course, is at the center of it all. Even with the reboot of the live action film franchise (and the IDW narrative), the yellow bug scout is being banked on to promote the brand and franchise across multiple media, with mentions of Cyberverse, some confusion around the currently airing Power of the Primes (as the final part of the Prime Wars Trilogy), and the general intention of putting Bumblebee first as a wide appeal character, and what that means for the media approach of Hasbro's licensees. Read the full piece here, some extracts below, and take a look at a new image of the Bumblebee vehicle mode from the Cyberverse animated series!

“We decided on Bumblebee because we wanted to go in a bit of a different direction. We wanted a character-focused film versus an ensemble. He is loved by kids, multiple generations, girls and women. Everyone loves Bumblebee,” continues Warner.

Hasbro is capitalizing on the film’s surroundings with a slate of ‘80s-themed launches including a TV series, a vinyl album and a graphic novel, which the company hopes will “lead a wave of Millennial nostalgia.”

[...]

Hasbro is off to a running start with two new television programs, “Transformers Cyberverse (Chapter 1)” and “Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy.” The first is an animated series from Hasbro Studios and Boulder Media that follows Bumblebee as he attempts to recover his memories on Earth. “Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy” picks up on the “Transformers: Combiner Wars” story line and offers a more detailed look at the franchise’s characters and history.

Though the shows are not set in the 1980s, “Cyberverse” emphasizes the idea of keeping memories alive, while “Prime Wars,” which debuted on Verizon’s streaming service VerizonGo90, was conceived as a way to reach older, devoted fans who have grown up with the franchise.

[...]

The new film comes to life with the help of actress Hailee Steinfeld and action star John Cena. At a time when audiences are looking for more female representation on screen, Waters remarks that “the choice to cast Hailee in the leading role may open the traditionally male brand up to female fans.”

“We felt [Hailee] was right for the picture and we are looking to expand our audience and be as inclusive as possible with the franchise,” adds Warner. “This is a step worth noting for a brand that has traditionally been displayed in the boys’ aisle of toy stores.”

[DeathReviews]

Oh. Goodie. Just what the Transformers franchise needed. MORE Bumblebee. Because, ya know, we don't have enough of that already. No, we haven't had nearly enough Bumblebee-centric TV series and movies. And they haven't made any Bumblebee figures in decades, we're starving for one. So please, PLEASE - out with it already! More Bumblebee, we beg of thee! Why, there's no way in the world anybody could ever get tired of that character!

/sarc

[KVO Prime]

I KNOW!!! BUMBLEBEE IS THE NEW SPOCK PRIME!!

in his movie with hailee steinfeld or i can't remember her name, something happens where he time travels, doesn't get his voice box ruined, and they all develop a different aesthetic, attitude, and atmosphere. I'm calling it now.

KVO PRIME

[Rated X]

Bumblebee is singlehandedly destroying the franchise.

[Stormshot_Prime]

After reading this I’m thouroughly convinced that Hasbro does not listen to fans. It’s absolutely hilarious how they try and push The Prime Wars cartoons as something fans are rejoicing over, when the criticism has been almost universally scathing. That, and now we won’t even be getting a proper length cartooon! 11 minutes? What kind of **** is that?

This is my opinion but Hasbro could be cool and do what DC does, give mature fans a mature TF cartoon/movie once a year or so.

[william-james88]

Bumblebee is singlehandedly destroying the franchise.

Or saving it, depending on the point of view. That TLK wave 1 BB was the best selling toy from the line.

[LevelRage]

Personally I like Bee, and wouldn't mind seeing a bit more stuff of him, esspecially if it helps get TF back into the spotlight. He's real popular with the kids and it's porobably thr best plan at the moment with the movie reboot about to take affect. If there's one or two things I'd like to see in the future though it'd be masterpiece figures of the '76 camero Bee, and his Volkswagon form.

[Absolute Zero]

Funny, I remember Starscream being far more popular with women and girls back in the Armada time. That was before Bumblebee usurped other peoples roles/personalities though.

[The Lonely Cracker]

**** all this

[thedistinctroom]

Oh boy... More BUMBLEBEE!

I wish I was a nostalgic millennial.

[Evil Eye]

Oh boy, more Bumblebee. Well, I suppose I can't be surprised, but it is a bit disappointing to get the same character over and over again. Now to be fair I like Bumblebee- G1 Bumblebee was actually a really likeable character (helped by Dan's wonderful voice talent), Animated Bumblebee was a refreshingly self-aware example of the "annoying rookie" trope, and honestly I didn't mind movieverse Bee. But the fact ol' Bumbles is getting put into literally every single TF media front and centre is getting predictable and stale, and the fact he's getting put alongside Windblade is not helping matters.

Funny, when I was a kid I often thought "Why don't we get Bumblebee back again?" as I always liked him in the G1 episodes I'd watched and was surprised about his non-inclusion in the contemporary toylines. Be careful what you wish for I suppose.

[Octobotimus]

now we know what will kill this franchise, freaking bumblebee....

[kurthy]

Oh boy, more Bumblebee. Well, I suppose I can't be surprised, but it is a bit disappointing to get the same character over and over again. Now to be fair I like Bumblebee- G1 Bumblebee was actually a really likeable character (helped by Dan's wonderful voice talent), Animated Bumblebee was a refreshingly self-aware example of the "annoying rookie" trope, and honestly I didn't mind movieverse Bee. But the fact ol' Bumbles is getting put into literally every single TF media front and centre is getting predictable and stale, and the fact he's getting put alongside Windblade is not helping matters.

Yet jest gettin' old. Now get off my lawn!
My oldeat son has watched G1, some of BW, rescue, some of prime, and RID. His favorite. He knows almost every single character in my 400-500 piece cillection. And his 50 or so piece collection. Guess who his favorite character is? I'll give you a hint, it's not one of the wreckers.

[WreckerJack]

Please Hasbro, don't turn Bumblebee into Roman Reigns.

In other words we like him when he is not shoved into the spotlight so much that other characters get ignored. One of the best things about Transformers is there are so many characters - please feature more than just Bee. I know that the fact that Bee, Optimus and Megatron are on most of the merch for branding and recognition but we want to keep fans instead of just draw their attention.

It's not that we don't like Bee. I like him a lot, he is a fun and awesome character but too much is too much. Similar to how wrestling fans are bored of Roman Reings, TF fans are tiring on Bee. Its not that people actually dislike Roman (or Bee) its that we want to see balance. We don't like the way the character is being overused when others deserve to be featured.

Bumblebee was the main character in RiD15, he's getting his own live action film and has always been one of the bots to be featured in pretty much every Transformers media ever. Let's give some of the other characters a chance please!

[Sabrblade]

After reading this I’m thouroughly convinced that Hasbro does not listen to fans. It’s absolutely hilarious how they try and push The Prime Wars cartoons as something fans are rejoicing over, when the criticism has been almost universally scathing.

Except on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets (which Hasbro probably does check), as the majority voice about the CW and TR was almost universally blind praise for how GEEWUN they were and how they were SO much better better than all the non-G1 shows and movies we get on TV and in theaters, along with people begging for Hasbro to make more shows like those and at full length and with more G1 voice actors back and with more G1 characters voiced by their G1 actors and G1 G1 G1 G1 G1...

Funny, I remember Starscream being far more popular with women and girls back in the Armada time.

That's cuz Starscream was emo in Armada. Girls dug the brooding bad boy loner who had issues and just wanted to be loved.

[william-james88]

After reading this I’m thouroughly convinced that Hasbro does not listen to fans. It’s absolutely hilarious how they try and push The Prime Wars cartoons as something fans are rejoicing over, when the criticism has been almost universally scathing.

Except on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets (which Hasbro probably does check), as the majority voice about the CW and TR was almost universally blind praise for how GEEWUN they were and how they were SO much better better than all the non-G1 shows and movies we get on TV and in theaters, along with people begging for Hasbro to make more shows like those and at full length and with more G1 voice actors back and with more G1 characters voiced by their G1 actors and G1 G1 G1 G1 G1...

I asked on facebook what people's thoughts were and I did get the reply of "at least it aint Bayformers"

[Stormshot_Prime]

After reading this I’m thouroughly convinced that Hasbro does not listen to fans. It’s absolutely hilarious how they try and push The Prime Wars cartoons as something fans are rejoicing over, when the criticism has been almost universally scathing.

Except on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets (which Hasbro probably does check), as the majority voice about the CW and TR was almost universally blind praise for how GEEWUN they were and how they were SO much better better than all the non-G1 shows and movies we get on TV and in theaters, along with people begging for Hasbro to make more shows like those and at full length and with more G1 voice actors back and with more G1 characters voiced by their G1 actors and G1 G1 G1 G1 G1...

Funny, I remember Starscream being far more popular with women and girls back in the Armada time.

That's cuz Starscream was emo in Armada. Girls dug the brooding bad boy loner who had issues and just wanted to be loved.

Well that’s the thing, it’s fan demanding these things and are disappointed, cause there’s no way you can exactly recapture that 80s “vibe,” as much as Hasbro wants.

Transformers is iconic and strong when they branch out a little, it’s how we got Beast Wars and Armada. Transformers will always somehow relate to G1, Hasbro just seems stuck in this vicious cycle.

I also think the Prime Wars cartoons were made by people being rushed who aren’t too familiar with the overall TF “multiverse”.

[hausjam]

Another thread full of whining and crying about Hasbro and bumblebee. Shocking.

[Qwan]

Another thread full of whining and crying about Hasbro and bumblebee. Shocking.

Or... another thread full of (at least mostly) valid complaints about Bumblebee's omnipresence and how it's kind of getting stale. You have to admit, he is everywhere right now, and variety is the spice of life after all!

[Stormshot_Prime]

Another thread full of whining and crying about Hasbro and bumblebee. Shocking.

Or... another thread full of (at least mostly) valid complaints about Bumblebee's omnipresence and how it's kind of getting stale. You have to admit, he is everywhere right now, and variety is the spice of life after all!

Have to agree. It’s not bad to get mad about something like this, especially when there’s so many other characters in the franchise that are as good as dead because Hasbro’s singlemindedness. Why not make appeal to audiences with fan fave characters like Elita-One, Arcee, etc?

[Avensis-Mahiya]

Please Hasbro, don't turn Bumblebee into Roman Reigns.

In other words we like him when he is not shoved into the spotlight so much that other characters get ignored. One of the best things about Transformers is there are so many characters - please feature more than just Bee. I know that the fact that Bee, Optimus and Megatron are on most of the merch for branding and recognition but we want to keep fans instead of just draw their attention.

It's not that we don't like Bee. I like him a lot, he is a fun and awesome character but too much is too much. Similar to how wrestling fans are bored of Roman Reings, TF fans are tiring on Bee. Its not that people actually dislike Roman (or Bee) its that we want to see balance. We don't like the way the character is being overused when others deserve to be featured.

Bumblebee was the main character in RiD15, he's getting his own live action film and has always been one of the bots to be featured in pretty much every Transformers media ever. Let's give some of the other characters a chance please!

Are you me? Because these are my exact feelings.

In social psychology there is a phenomenon known as the mere-exposure effect: the more you see something, the more familiar you are with it, and thusly the more you like it. Apparently in my studies they didn't record a phenomenon where the more you see something the less you like it. The more they push Bee the less I like him, and that sucks because he's not a bad character. He's so overexposed that it's annoying.

Also, I got really peeved when they said that they wanted to move away from the ensemble-based stories. Transformers is an ensemble based story, and giving it a main character (whether human or not) defeats and takes away so much from the plot.

[ZeroWolf]

I can't say I'm surprised but nor can I say I blame hasbro, if bee sells to kids (the dreaded target audience) then it would be daft of them not to exploit it. Hasbro is a business, their goal is to make as much money as possible (which they aid by minimising their costs in toy production, hence hollowness on figures etc), of their studies tell them that kids love show that feature one main character then it's logical to take that route as it involves fewer risks. We as fans get frustrated with these plans of course, but what can we do? Yes it would be a good idea dear i think, if they did put out a animated feature every year, drawing on different branches of the franchise but how much would that cost hasbro? Would they get a return on that investment? Like it or not but this is capitalism, Hasbro's goal is money (despite what they may claim). Maybe if we could all become shareholders we could stand a chance to change things.