With Travis Knight's Bumblebee finally set to open in theaters this coming weekend, I recently got an opportunity to sit down with screenwriter Christina Hodson and chat about her first big-budget blockbuster, which has been receiving rave reviews all across the board from critics and fans alike, ever since its worldwide debut earlier this month.
After turning in her Bumblebee screenplay last year, Hodson quickly found herself becoming the go-to writer for female-led action blockbusters as Warner Bros. tasked her with penning the scripts for a pair of their upcoming DC adventures, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) and Batgirl
Understandably, she wasn't allowed to divulge too much about either since both are still in the very early stages of development, but she was kind enough to offer a small, but intriguing tease about Birds of Prey, which she confirmed begins filming next month. She also gives us a promising update about her Batgirl screenplay.
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ROHAN PATEL (CBM): It's still early, so I know you’re not allowed to say too much yet, but is there anything you can tease about your Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) script or how Batgirl is coming along?
CHRISTINA HODSON: Only that I’m super, super excited.
ROHAN: Birds of Prey starts filming next month, right?
CHRISTINA: Yeah, January. Super excited. Our cast is awesome. Most of it has leaked, so you already know who's playing who. I’m super excited about the cast, about the characters. And it’s really fun and different and honestly, I think aside from the fact that, obviously, the studio would like me to not say anything, I think it’s fun not to say anything yet because that means there’s going to be whole bunch of fun little surprises for fans and for new people to the DC universe to discover.
ROHAN: Yeah, I think a lot of people are very excited. Also, how’s your Batgirl script coming along? Feels like another role that could be tailor-made for Hailee, if she were interested...
CHRISTINA: Again, above my paygrade. *laughs* Not something I can speak to. But, yeah, I’m loving writing it, I can say that, it’s a total joy to work on. I love the character. And everyday I’m finding new things to love and get excited about.
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Check back in tomorrow for my full-length interview with screenwriter Christina Hodson as she tells me all about the critically-acclaimed Bumblebee - including spoilers!
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.
Bumblebee features:
Director: Travis Knight
Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie Watson
John Cena as Agent Jack Burns
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Memo
John Ortiz as Dr. Powell
Jason Drucker as Otis Watson
Pamela Adlon as Sally Watson
Rory Markham as Jake Adams
Rachel Crow as Celia
Abby Quinn as Alice
Gracie Dzienny as Tina
Ricardo Hoyos as Trip
Kenneth Choi as Ken
Stephen Schneider as Ron
Len Cariou as Hank
Dylan O'Brien as Bumblebee
Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
Grey Griffin as Arcee
Steve Blum as Wheeljack
Andrew Morgado as Cliffjumper
Kirk Baily as Brawn
Dennis Singletary as Ratchet
Angela Bassett as Shatter
Justin Theroux as Dropkick
David Sobolov as Blitzwing
Jon Bailey as Shockwave
Bumblebee hits theaters December 21