Following behind the likes of Marvel, DC and Star Wars, the Transformers movie franchise wants in on the shared universe craze. While the main series is continuing with Transformers: The Last Knight next year and Transformers 6 in 2019, there is also a Bumblebee spinoff in the works, starring everyone's favorite giant yellow robot who can only speak through the radio. No details have been disclosed yet about what the Bumblebee movie will be about, but at one point, it was suggested that the Transformer's solo adventure head into R-rated territory.
Longtime Transformers director Michael Bay told Collider that a longtime wish of his has been to release an R-rated Transformers movie, and such an idea was pitched to him at one point for the Bumblebee movie. Bay said:
There's actually one idea that would be really fun R rated, with Bumblebee. I don't wanna say, but it would be really fun. Very Quentin [Tarantino], you know.
Would this Tarantino-style Bumblebee movie see one eponymous hero's human allies accidentally shooting someone in the end while in a car? After all, Bumblebee could be the car the shooting happens in. I digress. Presumably Michael Bay was pitched this idea last year when the Transformers writers group was assembled to crack this cinematic universe. Of course, the idea of an R-rated Transformers movie, let alone a Bumblebee spinoff, is practically impossible, namely because the robots in disguise are owned by Hasbro. The company is willing to put out PG-13 Transformers movies because the toys can still be marketed to kids, but that's significantly harder to do with an R-rated movie. Sorry, Bumblebee, you'll have to make due with the usual Transformers-style explosions and action-packed insanity instead of hardcore gore.
Last month, it was reported that Unforgettable writer Christina Hodson turned in a completed script for the Bumblebee spinoff, and now Paramount is looking to find a director for the project. While we'll have to wait a while to learn what the movie will be about, Michael Bay did say that in the treatment he read, few, if any, Transformers will show up. Speaking of Bay, while he wants to be involved with the Bumblebee movie in some capacity, because the script is still being written, it not time for him to jump in yet. Bumblebee has been one of the main Autobot players in the Transformers movie universe since the series kicked off in 2007. Strictly in terms of tonal differentiation, it would be interesting to see him get into R-rated shenanigans, but since that likely won't happen, at least he'll still be able to snag the spotlight for himself in a PG-13 setting.
The Bumblebee spinoff is currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 8, 2018, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress.
