Travis Knight to helm Transformers spin-off film Bumblebee

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Travis Knight is to direct the Transformers spin-off movie 'Bumblebee'.

The 43-year-old animator - who has worked on Oscar-nominated stop-motion animated film 'Kubo And The Two Strings' - is set to helm his first live-action film.

The screenplay is from Christina Hodson whilst Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg will produce alongside Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis, Deadline reports.

Bumblebee - one of Optimus Prime's most trusted - is known for his luck, determination and bravery despite not being the strongest or powerful of the Autobots. He was badly damaged during a battle, which caused him to lose the ability to speak verbally.

It comes after it was revealed the 'Transformers' franchise would continue for at least the next 10 years.

Hasbro Studios President Stephen J. Davis said: "Well, you're gonna see a new 'Transformers' movie coming from Hasbro and Paramount and Michael Bay and our other partners. In fact, we just finished, which some of you may have read, just an incredible experience. We decided that we wanted to plot out the next 10 years of the 'Transformers' franchise and so we got together in a room over a three-month period of time.

"Nine of some of the most creative writers I have ever worked with, shepherded by Akiva Goldsman, who many of you may know won an Academy Award for 'A Beautiful Mind' and written a bunch of really great movies, and they plotted out the next 10 years of 'Transformers'. Similarly, we're doing the same in television and in digital. So stay tuned, 'Transformers 5' is on its way, and 6 and 7 and 8."