‘Bumblebee’ Official Trailer: Hailee Steinfeld and ‘Kubo’ Director Take Over ‘Transformers’ From Michael Bay

After diminishing box office returns and incredibly negative reviews, the “Transformers” film franchise is set for a big shakeup with this Christmas’ “Bumblebee.” The prequel film is the first live-action “Transformers” movie not to be directed by Michael Bay. “Kubo and the Two Strings” director Travis Knight is behind the camera this time, and he looks to bring that same kind of inventive spirit to his live-action directorial debut as he did to his stop-motion Oscar nominee.

“Bumblebee” is set in 1987 and stars Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie, a teenager who becomes the new owner of the battle-scarred and broken VW bug. The new friends team up to stop an impending war. The official trailer below confirms Optimus Prime will make an appearance in the film. The human supporting cast includes John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., and Pamela Adlon. Stienfeld’s “Edge of Seventeen” director Kelly Fremon Craig co-wrote the script.

Paramount Pictures will release “Bumblebee” in theaters nationwide December 21.