Bumblebee (Transformers)
| Bumblebee | |
|---|---|
| Transformers character | |
 | |
| Voiced by | Film and television:
|
| Information | |
| Affiliation | Autobots |
| Function | Autobot Spy |
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters in the world of Transformers. Some versions of him are also called Goldbug or B-127. The character is usually one of the smaller members of the Autobots but tough nonetheless. In the original line of toys and the accompanying media, Bumblebee can transform into a small yellow Volkswagen Beetle, while the live-action film versions of Bumblebee transform into a yellow Chevrolet Camaro.
History
[change | change source]In 1984, Hasbro obtained the license from Takara to sell their Japanese Diaclone and Microchange toys in the United States. The toys were rebranded into the Transformers series and the first Transformers toys released in the US were the Autobot "Mini-Cars", which were taken from Microchange. The original Bumblebee toy was one of these and could transform into a miniature yellow Volkswagen Beetle.[1] Bumblebee's name and role as spy were created by Bob Budiansky.[2]
Bumblebee appears in the first episode of the 1980s The Transformers cartoon, in which he and fellow Autobot Wheeljack are the first two Transformers to appear on screen. After he and the other Autobots chase the Decepticons to Earth, Bumblebee becomes best friends with the human Spike Witwicky. In the cartoon's third season, Bumblebee receives an upgraded body and takes the name Goldbug.[3] Within the original cartoon, Bumblebee is voiced by Dan Gilvezan in English and Yoku Shioya in Japanese.[4]
In the 1990s, Hasbro lost the rights to the name "Bumblebee",[3] but got them back in the 2000s and included him as a main character in the 2007 live-action Transformers film. Bumblebee's design and personality were changed a lot for the film. Volkswagen did not allow a Beetle to be used in the film, so Bumblebee's alternate mode became a Chevrolet Camaro sports car. This version of Bumblebee doesn't speak and instead communicates using his car radio. Bumblebee's appearance in the 2007 film and sequels is what gained him mainstream popularity.[3] Bumblebee transforms into multiple Camaro models in the live-action films, including a 1977 second generation model,[5] a 2006 fifth generation model, and 2016 and 2018 sixth generation models.[6] The 1977 Chevrolet Camaro that was used in the 2007 film was eventually sold for over $40,000 on eBay. Other Camaros used in the film were sold as a set for around $500,000, and the proceeds were donated to the charity Operation Homefront.[6] Bumblebee also briefly appears in Transformers: The Last Knight as a WWII-era military vehicle.[7]
Bumblebee is the main character in the 2018 film Bumblebee, a reboot of the film series. The film establishes that Bumblebee came to Earth in 1987, thus retconning his WWII appearance in The Last Knight.[8] In this film, Bumblebee more closely resembles his original cartoon depiction, and once again transforms into a Volkswagen Beetle. Bumblebee returns in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which is part of the same rebooted universe as the Bumblebee film.[3]
Bumblebee's appearances in series such as Transformers: Animated and Transformers: Prime take influence from his depictions in the live-action films. In Prime, Bumblebee cannot speak, much like his film version. Meanwhile, series such as Transformers: Cyberverse and Transformers: EarthSpark take inspiration more from his 1980s cartoon appearance.[3] For Transformers One, director Josh Cooley wanted Bumblebee to speak again, for which Keegan-Michael Key was cast.[9] Cooley directed Key to speak in his normal voice for the role of Bumblebee.[10]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "A brief history of the Transformers". Malaysia Star. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
- ↑ Prefore, Charles (2020-05-24). "How Marvel Comics Helped Create The TRANSFORMERS". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Donohoo, Timothy Blake (2024-06-02). "Transformers: Every Version of Bumblebee, Explained". CBR. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "Bumblebee". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ Huffman, John Pearley (June 10, 2007). "Driving the Transformers Beater Bumblebee 1977 Camaro". Edmunds. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
- 1 2 Hunt, Nikia (2023-01-20). "Here's The Story Behind The Transformer's "Bumblebee" Camaro". HotCars. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ Sciretta, Peter (2017-05-10). "Bumblebee WWII Mode Revealed In 'Transformers: The Last Knight' Poster". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on December 12, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ Adlakha, Siddhant (2019-01-11). "Every bizarre bit of Transformers movie lore that Bumblebee retcons out of existence". Polygon.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "Transformers One Trailer Breakdown: Director Josh Cooley On Reinventing Optimus Prime And Megatron". Empire. 2024-04-18. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (2023-12-14). "Keegan-Michael Key Reveals Exactly What Bumblebee Sounds Like in 'Transformers One'". Collider. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
