Now, there's the Bumblebee we knew and loved as kids.

Paramount released the first trailer for "Bumblebee," a spinoff of the blockbuster "Transformers" franchise featuring arguably its most popular character. It's the first "Transformers" movie not to be directed by Michael Bay. Instead, Travis Knight ("Kubo and the Two Strings") takes over the wheel and has created what seems to be a moving coming-of-age story set in 1987.

Hailee Steinfeld stars as a teen who is befriended by Bumblebee, who appears in his original form of a Volkswagen Beetle.

Of course, this is still a "Transformers" movie so there are explosions and chases, but the vibe is definitely more intimate and emotional. And there are Easter eggs calling back to the other films in the franchise for die-hard fans.

"Bumblebee" also stars John Cena, Pamela Adlon, Kenneth Choi, Megan Pryce, and Martin Short and opens in theaters December 21.