Factual error: Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two" was not released until 1988. This movie takes place in 1987.
Bumblebee (2018)
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Directed by: Travis Knight
Starring: Angela Bassett, Hailee Steinfeld, Justin Theroux, Pamela Adlon
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Bumblebee is sort of a soft reboot of the Michael Bay series of films based upon the ongoing struggles between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons in their quest of domination. Bumblebee is the lovable yellow VW Bug who crash lands onto Earth with fractured memories and a damaged voice synthesizer. He immediately finds a friend in Charlie, an odd mechanic/swimmer of the 80s (played by an endearing Hailee Steinfeld) who has lost her dad due to a sudden heart attack. Together they fight to save Earth, be friends and have adventures while dealing with John Cena as a military officer who has a gripe with Bumblebee. A good adventure with lots of heart and energon.
More mistakes in Bumblebee
Optimus Prime: Bumblebee, our war rages on. You must protect Earth, and its people.
Trivia: Both the shortest "Transformers" movie (coming in at under two hours) and the least expensive film in the series. (Costing under $130 million, as compared to the $150-$200 million the other films cost).
Question: Why didn't Frank Welker reprise his role as the voice of Soundwave for this film?
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Answer: I couldn't find any other information, but honestly... Soundwave is barely in the movie. Probably just wasn't worth it for the production to pay Welker to come in just to record a few throwaway lines.
TedStixon
I considered that possibility as well, but since Peter Cullen reprised his role as the voice of Optimus Prime yet again for this film despite Prime's minimal involvement, it doesn't quite wash. Also, given Frank Welker's highly prolific voice acting career, it's unlikely he would have declined on the basis of pay or importance of his involvement.
zendaddy621
Soundwave was barely in the movie (he's literally only in a few shots) and only had one or two lines. As the other answer suggested, it probably just wasn't worth it for the studio to pay Welker to come in, or they just didn't feel it was necessary given that Soundwave was essentially just a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo. Optimus has a much larger presence, and Peter Cullen's voice is pretty synonymous with the character in the film series. Hence, it was worth it to have him return.
TedStixon