The Transformers franchise has been the biggest part of Michael Bay’s career. Though he directed and produced other films, including Armageddon and Pearl Harbor, he rose to greater prominence when he directed Transformers in 2007. In spite of mixed reviews, the toy-based adaptation is a multi-billion-dollar series.

Despite this history, Bay has stepped away from the Transformers franchise in the last few years. His most recent film in the franchise was Transformers: The Last Knight, which received largely negative reviews. Even though he wasn’t ᴀssociated with the franchise anymore, that didn’t stop Paramount from making more movies, including Bumblebee and Transformers One, both of which were critically acclaimed.

Despite his nearly decade-long absence from the series, Bay is planning to make another Transformers movie. This creates both benefits and complications for the franchise. Notably, however, the filmmaker could deliver on one Transformers promise from yesteryear.

Michael Bay’s Transformers Return Could Revive Another Part Of His 14-Movie Plan

And There Are Multiple Possibilities

In 2017, Bay revealed that Paramount had scripts or ideas for 14 Transformers films. As it stands, there have already been seven live-action and eight overall films in the modern-day franchise. Some of these ideas have already come to fruition. His 14-movie plan included Bumblebee, which has already been released in theaters. However, there are other potential elements to his plan that he could bring back.

For example, Bay has previously talked about making an R-rated Bumblebee movie. Bumblebee did well among critics, so it would be conceivable that the director may want to get his hands on that material. He could explore the character after many years had pᴀssed.

The returning director could also make a more direct sequel to Transformers: The Last Knight. The movie’s climax suggested the awakening of Unicron, so a follow-up might be able to focus on this character. With The Last Knight being the most recently released Transformers movie under Bay, this seems pretty likely.

There are also elements of the existing Transformers franchise lore that Bay’s next film could adapt. This includes the Beast Wars franchise, Transformers: Rescue Bots, or elements of other TV shows. As the franchise is already working on origin stories, this lore expansion would make sense.

Bay’s return to the Transformers franchise will allow him to explore one of these aspects, or something else, within his 14-movie plan. As the director continues work on this project, it will be interesting to see what additional details he provides about the movie’s focus.

Michael Bay’s New Transformers Movie Can Be The Third Movie From This Plan To Happen

Bumblebee And Transformers One Were The First Two

Bay’s new Transformers movie will be the third movie confirmed to be part of the 14-film plan. As mentioned, the first was Bumblebee, which was well-received. The following film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, was not confirmed to be a part of this plan.

The next film in the 14-movie plan was Transformers One. While it underwhelmed at the box office compared to its predecessors, it was also well-received by critics. Bay is less experienced with animation, so he is more likely to make a live-action follow-up. He has also expressed his desire to direct the latest installment. While his directorial effort is not confirmed, it seems likely to happen, marking a notable return.

If this comes to fruition, Bay’s Transformers movie will be the first film in his 14-year plan that he directed. He was a producer on both Bumblebee and Transformers One, but his directing will allow him the chance to have more creative control over his vision for the plan.

More Of Michael Bay’s 14 Transformers Movie Plan Can Happen If His Film Is A Success

But Box Office Performance Is Really Key

After Transformers One, the franchise is in desperate need of some box office revitalization. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts made $441.6 million worldwide, while Transformers One made just $129.4 million. This is an unfortunate downturn that needs to be made up for.

By contrast, Transformers: The Last Knight made over $605 million. This total indicates what Bay is capable of, even if lower than some of his other franchise films. If he has a clear and well-thought-out vision, his earning potential increases even further. Thus, the filmmaker could make a $1 billion Transformers movie in the right conditions.

As such, Bay’s return to the Transformers franchise could mean the 14-movie plan could actually happen. It is certainly a bold blueprint for a franchise that has had some recent box-office struggles, even as they go in different directions. However, the fact that Paramount has script ideas suggests that the company may have a clear vision.

Ultimately, the future of the Transformers franchise will live and die by the next movie’s box office performance. This is a critical time for Bay to bring the property back to life and show that it still reflects some of its earning potential of yesteryear. If he is indeed successful, audiences may see a busy Transformers slate in the coming years.