Transformers Spinoff Bumblebee Gets a Chinese Release Date

Bumblebee, the upcoming prequel/spinoff of the big-screen Transformers franchise, has landed a release date in China. Variety reports that the 80s-set adventure will open in Chinese theaters on January 4, 2019. Typically, the Transformers films do much better overseas than they do domestically. Last year’s Transformers: The Last Knight, for example, took in $229 million in China, versus $130 million domestically.

Directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings), the film stars Hailee Steinfeld (Edge of Seventeen), Pamela Adlon (Better Things), John Cena (Daddy’s Home 2), Stephen Schneider (Comedy Central’s Broad City), Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Jason Drucker (Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul), Kenneth Choi (American Crime Story), Ricardo Hoyos (Degrassi: Next Class), Abby Quinn (Landline), Rachel Crow (Deidra & Laney Rob a Train), and Grace Dzienny (Zoo). Angela Bassett (Black Panther) will voice the cherry-red Plymouth Satellite Decepticon called Shatter, with Justin Theroux (The Spy Who Dumped Me) voicing Dropkick, the Decepticon who transforms into a blue AMC Javelin.

Related: Dylan O’Brien Will Voice Bumblebee in the Upcoming Movie

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (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.

The film is produced by Transformers franchise veterans Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Michael Bay, along with executive producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, and Mark Vahradian. Chris Brigham (Argo, Inception) will also executive produce. The screenplay is written by Christina Hodson (Unforgettable).

Bumblebee speeds into theaters in the U.S. on December 21.