Beloved Transformer Gets Reworked for Movie
June 2, 2006 – 9:17 am by Matt Radel
Filed under Rants, Volkswagen New Beetle
Remember Bumblebee?
I Just found this on the Auto Blog. I’ve been hearing about the “live action” Transformers movie for some time, but I’m not sure I like what I hear. Bumblebee as a Chevy Camaro? What the heck? He’s a VW bug! Transformers fans out there will know what I’m sayin’. The post says that he’ll start out as 1970’s model and then be rebuilt into the 2008-09 model. I can’t help but think that Chevy will use this to help spearhead a marketing campaign, as the movie is due out around July 4th of next year - not too far off from the release of the ‘08 model year.
It’s just kinda sad - seeing a loved character reworked due to marketing. Am I getting too worked up about this? I don’t think so. VW needs to step up and make things right. If nothing else, make Cliffjumper a New Beetle. Okay, maybe I am going to far. I’m totally showing what a nerd I am.
Beloved Transformer Gets Reworked for Movie
June 2, 2006 – 9:17 am by Matt Radel
Sooo stupid man. You can’t go and change such an iconic character as Bumblebee. His entire persona revolved around his VW Beetleness. Makes me not wanna see the movie… wait… yeah, I’m gonna see it anyway. lol It’s freakin’ awesome that they’re making this.
Maybe they’re going to have Optimus Prime as a VW, that’s pretty much the antithesis of a semi so it would make sense based on the Camero thing.
Actually, Optimus will be a fire truck….don’t get me started on that.
I heard that VW were the ones again using the beetle in the movie.
Don’t remember where I heard it though.
It’s all completely unfortunate.
No worries, we all love our iconic heroes. Fact is that VW will not allow them rights to use the Beetle. Fact: Michael Bay will be getting a fat check for promoting GMC in their marketing.
“Why is Bumblebee not a beetle?” is one of the questions on the official movie site. In their interview, they never answer the question. They repeat they are keeping he spirit of the character and the clothes don’t make the man. What a load of BS. Fat royalty checks and Bay putting his stains, I mean mark on the franchise.
The worst of it is that these iconic characters even aside from their vehicle counterparts are completely unrecognizable in their robot forms. Decepticons got it the worst with Megatron and Starscream looking like metal puke. No love for Michael Bay, lots of love to iconic characters. I feel your pain brother.
THANK YOU!!!
No one else seems to be that worked up about this. I’m actually kind of dreading the movie the more I see from the previews. And why do they HAVE to be so overly complex?! It’s driving me nuts. I could rant on this for awhile.
I am sooooo disappointed…..
VW just lost out on a priceless opportunity to market its brand name.
When they realize the fallout over this, i hope the guy (or gal) who decided not to give the beetle license to the movie will get fired….
I know of people who bought the new beetle because they were nostalgic of their old Bumblebee toys.
He/she probably never thought of the contribution the iconic cartoon series had to their brand equity.