‘The Beekeeper 2’ Filmmaker Urges Fans to Not Bring Bees to Theaters
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From a bush in Downtown Los Angeles, I can now confirm that Timo Tjahjanto, director of The Beekeeper 2, is urging fans to leave their bees at home, ahead of the film’s release.
“The movie theater is no place for your bee colony,” Tjahjanto said recently during an interview with Variety. “Nobody wants to hear your bees buzzing through the movie. They also can’t appreciate the IMAX experience, so why even bother bringing them if they’re not going to appreciate the full moviegoing experience?”
Jason Statham, the titular beekeeper, agrees with Tjahjanto’s sentiment.
“Leave the beekeeping to Adam Clay,” Statham told Variety. “I love my bees, but I don't bring them to the cinema. I also don’t want to deal with your bees while enjoying the feature film. No one should have to put up with someone else’s bees at the AMC. If you bring your bees to the theater, I have the right mind to tell you to buzz off.”
Beekeeper-film buff hybrids are not too happy with Tjahjanto and Statham’s statements and are considering boycotting the film altogether.
“Who are they to dictate where I take my bee colonies,” said Scruffy Moore, an avid beekeeper who loves that The Beekeeper franchise depicts his hobby so accurately. “It’s just your typical Hollywood elitism. Statham and Tjahjanto can go to the movies without their bees because they can afford to pay beesitters. Some of us aren’t as privileged. Do you know how hard it is to find a beesitter on my budget? It’s near impossible. I’ve talked to other keepers, and they feel the same way. So, all three of us have decided to boycott the film. If our bees aren’t welcome, well I don't want to be there either.”
At press time, to add insult to injury, AMC announced an accompanying The Beekeeper 2 popcorn bucket that looks like a brood box. The bush I hid in for this scoop was a Hive Shrub.
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