An original Transformers star addresses a potential franchise return under Michael Bay. The film franchise began in 2007 under the direction of Bay, with a live-action cast that included Shia LaBeouf in the lead role alongside Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, John Turturro, Jon Voight, Michael O’Neill, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, and many more.

In June 2025, it was reported that Bay, who directed the first five films before exiting the franchise in 2017, is returning for a new Transformers movie. While Bay is reportedly developing the film, it’s unclear if he will actually direct it himself. At the very least, Bay will take on the role of a “hands-on producer.”

During a recent interview with The Direct, Josh Duhamel addressed a potential return to the Transformers franchise under Michael Bay. Though he hasn’t heard anything about Bay’s return, Duhamel would gladly rejoin the franchise, praising Bay’s abilities and recalling his character’s journey through four films, joking that he’s aged into a general at this point. Read his full comments below:

I have not heard that. But yeah, why not? Michael Bay is such a talented dude. I just really, I really, really loved working with him. We did four of those movies. One, I did 1, 2, 3, and 5. I sH๏τ up that, you know, I started as like a cadet and ended up like a lieutenant colonel or something. So who knows. Would I be a general at this point? I’ve definitely grayed into the spot. Yeah, I’d love to do it.

What This Means For Michael Bay’s Transformers Return

Josh Duhamel debuted in Transformers (2007) as Captain William Lennox and returned for Revenge of the Fallen (2009), ranking up to Major, and Dark of the Moon (2011), and was promoted again to Colonel. Duhamel sat out Age of Extinction (2014), but came back for The Last Knight (2017), maintaining the rank of Colonel.

It’s unclear if Duhamel’s character will return in Bay’s new Transformers movie, considering that very little is known about the film itself. It’s unclear if it will be a continuation of Bay’s previous five films or a fresh reboot of the franchise. In turn, it’s unclear if any characters will return, including but not limited to Duhamel’s Colonel Lennox.

Since Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky is canonically ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, Duhamel might be the most familiar face that could return. Because he hasn’t heard anything about Bay’s return, his new Transformers movie likely remains in the very early stages of development, and they have not yet begun reaching out to potential cast members. As it makes progress, more should be made clear.

Our Take On Returning Characters In Michael Bay’s New Transformers Movie

Whether Bay’s new Transformers movie brings back any returning characters depends largely on whether it continues his original storyline or acts as a reboot. While bringing back characters could tap into nostalgia, it could also confuse the increasingly convoluted continuity even further. In turn, starting from scratch with a clean reboot and all new characters might be the best route for Bay’s new Transformers movie.