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Michael Bay Says He's Not Involved with New 'Transformers' Sequels

by Ethan Anderton
October 19, 2011
Source: Shoot for the Edit

This week the Transformers news has been all over the place with talk of back-to-back sequels coming without Shia LaBeouf starring, but with director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg reportedly already in talks for the two films. However, now the franchise filmmaker has spoken out about the recent news and it sounds like Hasbro and Paramount Pictures might have a problem. On the Shoot for the Edit message boards (via Collider), Bay himself says, "I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports. I’m looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options."

Bay went on to say, "Most likely going to be doing the low budget Pain and Gain, a true story crime thriller. It’s a very quick shoot and quite funny. Also just finishing the 3 disc set of the Transformer trilogy.” So it sounds like Transformers: Dark of the Moon could have been Bay's last outing with the Autobots and Decepticons after all. Of course, there's always the chance Bay could stay on the franchise as a producer, but it sounds like he's ready to move on to a different directing gig at this point. While a decent sized paycheck might change his mind, perhaps now is the time to get some new blood behind the camera that just might reinvigorate the series for those who may have grown tired of Michael Bay's frantic work on the franchise. Who do you think should direct the Transformers sequels?

Filed under Development, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Neo-3

Isn't the title misleading? He never says he's not involved.
- http://www.firstshowing.net/ Ethan Anderton
  
  "I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports." And then he goes on to say what he's working on instead. That's him saying that he's not involved right now. Doesn't mean he couldn't end up on board later, but he's say the reports of him being in talks for the sequels are false.
Neo-3

He also says this "I’m looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options." Which we don't know what it is, could be T4 and T5. Currently not talking does not mean involved. He is dong Pain and Gain that will likely be 5 months from beginning to theaters.
Xerxexx

Do we need him?
Anonymous

lets hope it stays like this
Anonymous

Chris Nolan-----Transformers Begins or should it just be Transformers Begin, hah
- Chris Amaya
  
  I second the notion. I just drool at the thought of him doing it.
- Manny
  
  I'm sorry, but I seriously don't understand whenever there is an open spot for a director on a specific mainstream film etc, people always mention Nolan. Don't get me wrong, Nolan is a fantastic director, 'The Prestige' and 'Memento' are two of the best films made in the last 15 years. But for a film like 'Transformers', you need an action-specialised director, I have no clue who, but someone who can seamlessly film huge and quite long action scenes, and Nolan isn't that kind of director. His talents would either be wasted in my opinion. JJ Abrams would be a more suitable director, perhaps, but yeah, we all know Bay will sign on for 4 and 5 though, it's inevitable. Meh.
  - jah p
    
    I'm with you manny, they need a good action director with a knack for special effects to pull this off better than Bay..my vote would be Timur Bekmambetov of the NightWatch movie series and the Wanted movie, or hell while we're at it, I'd love to see what Zach Snyder could do visually for Transformers too.
Jack white

good news at last
- Spider Arijit
  
  I agree
Lebowski

They should just let a computer direct it. We definitely have the technology, and a commodore 64 probably has a better grasp of characters and dialog than michael bay does. there would definitely be less racism.
5dollarfootlong

Roland Emmerich since he knows how to blow up planets. Even someone like Gore Verbinski.
- DAVE
  
  Good choice!! But i don't think it ll be too much popular. i agree he know how to blow up things but not like Bay use too. And Paramount & Hasbro would not go for something bad, because till now Bay has down a good job so if he is leaving then they has to go better because no one goes from good to bad. That ll not be good.
Andy

Please no more Michael Bay. it's too much. he completely destroy my favorite classic series. Please make him stop the pain.
- Bruno Santos
  
  He should stick with movies that I don't care about like that ones from his creation, per example those boyz something...
http://twitter.com/darktaxidermist Davide Coppola

I'm glad to see he's doing the low budget film he promised! I'm so pumped for that!! I don't like it when people say "all he cares about is money" of course who doesn't? The guy is smart he also thinks about a little something called "carreer". As for a new director I'd get the guy who did Prince of Persia or Push realistically speaking, but I'd love to see an arthouse director tackle this even if it's probably never gonna happen.
Optimus

Bay better not be involved nor Spielberg. They ruined Transformers for the past 7 years. Enough!
- Spider Arijit
  
  yo, Bay is a great director. And Spielberg too, if Spielberg is making it then has to be good. And if Micheal Bay didn't start the franchise then no one would ever done it in the first place so shut up! and its not 7 its 5 count!! Think twice before you speak.
Anonymous

In other words, the studios haven't offered him a big enough pay check (and enough supermodels) to direct the movie yet. It'll happen.
Robotprophet

Neil Blommkamp dudes!
TF

I think Steven Spielberg will be good, BUT MICHAEL BAY was the best till now to the franchise!!
Anonymous Coward

Please no more Bay! I'm tired of watching his ego trips he calls Transformers movies. The action in the latest install was tiring - not riveting - tiring. He needs to stop trying to re-invent something that is solid in its own right. Again, dropping Bay would be a great thing for this franchise. And Spider, you need to read twice before you write.
Chris

No LaBeouf? No Bay? It's like the best 'kin Christmas present evah!
Violator

Matthew Vaughn would be a nice get...
Bruno Santos

if only he didn't got involved in the first three T....
Bruno Santos

...and please don't let Bay mess with Marvel films!!!
The Moviejunkee

Who gives a F*ck!? The wind will dry away these tears and dont let the doorknob hit you in the a** on the way out! The last 2 Transformer films were complete garbage. I have never been so disappointed. The Dark side of the moon..Shouldve been the dark side of my butt, cuz it sucked ass! So much hype and too much tiresome ricochet storylines I believe a fanboy fanatic who makes a living at Subway couldve made a better film. There are a list of directors I believe who would capture the boycrush magic we had as kids. So scrap the plans and give this franchise a Huge Do-over! Optimus deserves that much! after we rescue Transformers can we breathe life into the Last Airbender?? and beat up M.Night to a near pulp? Creative Grown Man Children we have work to do! Lets git r' done!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HR5IU6OPAMPIDKK6KBKA3G4I64 DimitrisK

No Bay? Then there is hope!
Men of Honor

thank god no more shia labeouf and Micheal Bay... i would love to see J.J Abrams as the director and Steven Spielberg as the Producer.. As this two big guns gives very high importance on the quality of the CGI's. Everyone knows how well J.J Abrams is doing these days. Especially what he did for Star Trek and Super 8...