Transformers spin-off focusing on Bumblebee set for 2018

We're on the verge of experiencing a flood of TRANSFORMERS films whether we like it or not; last year Paramount and Hasbro put together a TRANSFORMERS writers room in order to chart out the future of the franchise, which would include more sequels, spin-offs, and everything in between. Just this morning Paramount announced release dates for three TRANSFORMERS films which will keep up supplied with over-the-top explosions and attractive people sweating for the next four years.

Thanks to a recent investors update from Hasbro (via Coming Soon), it seems like one of those new release dates will not be for an entry in main TRANSFORMERS series, but rather for the first TRANSFORMERS spin-off which will focus on the character of Bumblebee. Tom Warner, Hasbro's Transformers leader, said:

This summer we worked closely with a talented team of A-list screenwriters to map out the future of the Transformers cinematic universe, and as Brian announced earlier, things kick off in a major way in 2017 with the release of Transformers 5 in June. And we’re working on a spin-off movie centered around Bumblebee for 2018 and the next chapter for 2019.

Looks like Paramount/Hasbro will be taking a little inspiration from Disney/Lucasfilm's STAR WARS plan, sequel, spin-off, sequel, spin-off, and on and on until these things finally stop making money. It will be interesting to see how a TRANSFORMERS spin-off will differ from the main series, especially one which focuses on the least talkative member. Michael Bay will be returning to direct TRANSFORMERS 5, which is set for a June 23, 2017 release, then he'll be passing the torch to someone else (we'll see about that). The Bumblebee spin-off/TRANSFORMERS 6 is set for a June 8, 2018 release and it will be followed by TRANSFORMERS 6/7 on June 28, 2019. That's a lot of robots.