Transformers is a franchise that has been slowly backing itself into a corner. While all the films have been financial successes, if its latest entry, Transformers: The Last Knight, is any indication, audiences are growing tired of the mindless, metal-scraping action we’ve grown to expect. You need only look at the disappointing performance of that film compared to others ($605 million worldwide, compared to the $1.1 billion haul of Transformers: Age of Extinction) to see that interest is waning.

RELATED – Transformers: Actress Hailee Steinfeld Had No Reservations Bout Joining Bumblebee Spinoff

Luckily for fans, we may have something distinctly more special in store for us for the upcoming Bumblebee spinoff. Not only is longtime franchise helmer Michael Bay not involved in this film, but Kubo and the Two Strings director Travis Knight has taken his place. Those who enjoyed his stop-motion outing will be excited to hear about his approach to this new film, as revealed in an interview with Empire.

“I wanted to approach this massive, expansive franchise and really focus in on a tiny corner of the canvas. Everything I’ve tried to do at Laika, searching for an artful blend of darkness and light, intensity and warmth, humour and heart, I wanted to bring to the Transformers franchise.”

I want to focus on that first sentence. How refreshing is it that they’re working to ensure that they are scaling everything back for this film? In a franchise where the scope has exploded to ridiculous proportions, seeing them have the confidence to pull back is enough to give someone like me hope that they could still salvage this franchise.

Empire also released a brand-new image that features an old-school VW Beetle Bumblebee alongside Hailee Steinfeld, which you can check out HERE.

Below is the synopsis for Bumblebee:

“On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.”

What do you think of the first new image and approach from Knight? Let us know down below!

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

SOURCE: Empire