The Possibility of Michael Bay Returning to Transformers Franchise After 7 Years

Michael Bay's return to the Transformers franchise in 2024 seems more likely than ever. Throughout his career, Bay has gone through different phases. In the '90s, he gained recognition for his sharp and subversive action films like Bad Boys and The Rock. However, he later became known for his overblown and excessive blockbuster movies, with critics coining the term "Bayhem" to describe his explosive style.

Despite films like Pearl Harbor, Bad Boys II, and The Island adding to his reputation, Bay found success with the Transformers franchise in 2007. These movies combined his love for spectacle with a straightforward storyline, becoming box office hits. While not all Transformers films were well-received by critics, they were some of Bay's most profitable projects, showcasing his knack for delivering commercial success throughout his career.

The Transformers Movies Have Struggled At The Box Office Without Michael Bay

Bay’s absence from the franchise has seen its box office dwindle

Michael Bay Transformers Future Movies Spinoffs Sequels Prediction - Bay’s absence from the franchise has seen its box office dwindle - The Transformers Movies Have Struggled At The Box Office Without Michael Bay

Bay concluded his time in the Transformers series in 2017 with the movie Transformers: The Last Knight. Despite the financial success of Transformers: Age of Extinction in 2014, The Last Knight did not surpass its predecessor. Just a year later, a prequel to The Last Knight was released. However, Bay did not direct the 2018 film Bumblebee; instead, Travis Knight took over directing duties. Although Bumblebee received positive reviews, it did not perform as well at the box office. Despite its smaller budget, the prequel was still considered a success, but this raised concerns about the future of the franchise.

Six years later, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts disappointed fans and critics alike. The movie was a box office flop, failing to make back its huge budget and becoming the lowest-grossing film in the series. Unlike the well-received Bumblebee, Rise of the Beasts did not win over critics either. This shows that the Transformers movies may need Michael Bay to thrive, even though the franchise is exploring other options to overcome its current challenges.

Transformers' Future Has No Clear Direction Without Michael Bay

The Transformers series doesn’t have a cohesive strategy

Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in Transformers (2007) - The Transformers series doesn’t have a cohesive strategy - Transformers' Future Has No Clear Direction Without Michael Bay

The Transformers movies have always followed a coherent storyline, but now things are about to get more complex. Despite the disappointing performance of Rise of the Beasts, the creators behind the franchise are determined to breathe new life into it. There are plans for a Transformers reboot, an animated film, and a standalone movie in the works. However, these projects lack a strong creative leader, even though Michael Bay is involved as a producer.

Michael Bay's Career Rebounded After Leaving Transformers

For better or worse, Michael Bay was seen as the main creative force behind the early Transformers movies. The series had a consistent tone until he stepped away. Even though Shia Labeouf didn't come back for the fourth movie, Bay's sequels maintained the adventurous spirit that made the original film a surprise hit. In 2018, Bumblebee continued this trend, with director Travis Knight capturing Bay's blend of humor and action. However, due to its smaller budget, Bumblebee's action scenes were not as immersive. On the other hand, Rise of the Beasts was criticized for taking itself too seriously.

Bay has enjoyed both good reviews and solid audience successes recently

Jake Gyllenhaal with a machine gun in Ambulance - Bay has enjoyed both good reviews and solid audience successes recently - Michael Bay's Career Rebounded After Leaving Transformers

Bay may have faced criticism in the past, but recent reviews show a different story. Since parting ways with the Transformers franchise, Bay has received positive feedback from critics and audiences. Although 2019's 6 Underground didn't impress critics, it was a hit on Netflix. Similarly, Ambulance may not have done well at the box office, but it did earn Bay some favorable reviews. Overall, Bay's career seems to have taken a positive turn since his Transformers days, even though he has yet to achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Despite the flaws in Bay's Transformers movies, the first installment remains a standout in his filmography. While his other projects have had mixed receptions, such as 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Transformers allowed Bay to showcase his passion for explosions and action in a way that resonated with audiences. With his newfound critical credibility, it might be time for Bay to consider returning to the franchise that initially propelled his career.

Transformers' G.I. Joe Crossover Means Its The Perfect Time For Michael Bay To Return

Bay’s obsession with the military suits a GI Joe crossover movie

Transformers' G.I. Joe Crossover Sets Up A Retcon For Michael Bay's Movies - Bay’s obsession with the military suits a GI Joe crossover movie - Transformers' G.I. Joe Crossover Means Its The Perfect Time For Michael Bay To Return

Bay has always shown a strong interest in military themes in his movies. He has a history of focusing on the military in films like The Rock, Pearl Harbor, and 13 Hours. Even in the Transformers movies, he included military characters. A crossover between Transformers and the GI Joe franchise could be a great fit for Bay. It would allow him to return to a series that aligns with his passion for military storytelling.

The ending of Rise of the Beasts teased a GI Joe/Transformers crossover movie, serving as a prequel to the original 2007 Transformers film. While it seemed to set up a follow-up with the GI Joe team, Michael Bay may not necessarily continue from where the movie left off. Due to Rise of the Beasts not meeting expectations, it would make more sense for Bay to skip ahead in time after the events of his last movie in the franchise timeline. This approach could allow Bay to make a fresh start in the Transformers franchise without being weighed down by previous lore.

Editor's P/S:

Michael Bay's potential return to the Transformers franchise is a topic that has sparked much discussion among fans and critics alike. While some argue that his departure led to a decline in the franchise's box office success, others believe that Bay's signature style and penchant for spectacle could revitalize the series. The article highlights the challenges faced by the Transformers movies in recent years, including disappointing box office returns and a lack of creative cohesion. However, it also acknowledges Bay's recent critical success with films like "6 Underground" and "Ambulance."

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not Bay should return to the Transformers franchise is a complex one. His involvement could bring a much-needed boost to the series' popularity, but it could also alienate those who have grown tired of his excessive filmmaking style. Whether Bay's return would ultimately benefit the franchise remains to be seen, but his potential involvement is certainly a topic that will continue to be debated among fans and industry professionals.