Rishika Shahi
Keegan-Michael Key has described his role as Bumblebee in the animated prequel “Transformers One” as a “full circle” moment in his career. Growing up watching the original Transformers series in the 1980s, Key recalls how it shaped his childhood and ignited his passion for storytelling. Now, as he steps into the iconic role of Bumblebee, he reflects on the significance of this opportunity and how it connects him to his younger self.
Nostalgic Roots in Childhood
Key reminisces about coming home from school to watch Transformers, describing the experience as “almost a religious experience.” The show’s captivating storytelling and memorable characters left a lasting impression on him, fueling his desire to be part of such a beloved franchise.
“I really am a fan from childhood of the original cartoon people my age watched in the ’80s, so this movie was a full circle moment for me,” the 53-year-old actor says of the new animated prequel folks.
When the Transformers animated series first captivated children’s attention in 1984, it set off a decades-long toy and film empire. Key observes, “It was clever that there were toys and action figures that could perform the actions that the characters did.”
He continues, “I wanted those toys so badly, I wanted all of them,” recalling his childhood in Michigan. And in my entire life, I most likely received two!”
The Joy of Voicing Bumblebee
Taking on the role of B-127, the early version of Bumblebee, is not just a job for Key; it’s a dream come true. He expresses excitement about contributing to an origin story that he has longed to see, emphasizing the thrill of exploring the backstory of iconic characters like Optimus Prime and Megatron.
When Key was younger, he remembers that he would “turn on the television when I got home from school, and it was almost a religious experience for me to be able to watch Transformers.” I used to immediately get right into the adventure after sitting there and singing the theme tune.
For this reason, the Key & Peele Emmy winner considered it a dream come true to voice B-127 in Transformers One, the early iteration of the popular yellow bot Bumblebee. Key was more than just “a fan” of the Josh Cooley-directed prequel, standing beside Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax a.k.a. Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as D-16 a.k.a. Megatron, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, and more.
Key highlights the importance of origin stories in storytelling, noting that understanding where characters come from enhances their complexity. He finds joy in revealing how friendships evolve into rivalries, adding depth to the narrative of Transformers.
Embracing His Inner Child
In voicing Bumblebee, Key taps into his inner child, allowing him to embrace the exaggerated nature of animation. He believes that this childlike spark is essential for bringing authenticity and excitement to his character, making his performance resonate with fans both young and old.
Key has voiced characters in a number of popular films, including Toy Story 4, The Lion King, Wendell & Wild, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Bumblebee is simply the most recent addition to this list. That’s no coincidence for a classically educated actor who made his breakthrough in sketch comedy, he claims. To truly commit to a character is one of my favorite things to do in the profession.
He continues, “You get to be exaggerated in the work that you’re doing because cartoons are exaggerated by nature, so you can be over-the-top in the voiceover booth. And I think you have to have a youthful spark inside of you to do that. Now showing in theaters is Transformers 1.
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