‘Transformers’ Returns With the Iconic Duo Who Brought Us the Film Franchise

The Transformers franchise has helped many fans get to know Optimus Prime and his team of Autobots as they protect earth, Sam Witwicky, and all those that cross their path from Megatron and the Decepticons. Starting in 2007, the films allowed an entirely new generation to fall in love with Transformers and now it seems as if Paramount is reuniting the team to return to the franchise.

According to an exclusive from Deadline, Paramount Pictures and Hasbro are working with Steven Spielberg to focus their resources on the Transformers movies. And apparently a deal with Michael Bay to return to the franchise is close to being done as well. Bay directed the first five movies of the franchise, ending his run in 2017. Since, the films have inspired spin-off films like Bumblebee as well as Transformers One and more.

The news comes after the tragic passing of Peter Cullen, the iconic voice of Optimus Prime. There is no news on whether or not they will recast the role if the film moves forward or, if like the use of Optimus Prime in the Universal Parks, they will simply use Cullen’s recorded dialogue from other projects for the character. It would mark the first major part of the franchise that Cullen would not be a part of.

As of this writing, there is not much news outside of Paramount’s desire to continue the franchise with the support of both Spielberg and Bay. Spielberg had produced Transformer films in the past as an executive producer.

Will it return to form or be a new reboot?

There was a lot of storyline that the Bay films covered, including leaving Sam Witwicky behind in the third film. Rebooting the entire franchise with Bay at the helm would be a fun exploration of what he could do with the story that we haven’t seen in his first go. That being said, there is still more to Optimus and Megatron’s story that they could dive into if this was to be a continuation of where the franchise left off with Transformers: The Last Knight.

The franchise does, however, continue to be a source of success for the company. Started back in 1984 with a comic run and toy line before the wildly popular animated series dominated. Since, the phrase “Autobots, roll out” has been ingrained in the public consciousness and the rest was history. So getting another film from Bay should excite fans.

Until we know more about the plan, and whether or not Bay officially signs on, it will be interesting to see how the franchise looks without Peter Cullen as our brave leader.

For more news, check back with That Hollywood Show.