Michael Bay Is Returning To Ruin Transformers Again

Summary

  • Transformers One was a hit with fans and critics, earning an 89% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating.
  • Despite the success of Transformers One, the film didn’t meet box office projections, killing all plans for a sequel.
  • Michael Bay’s return to the Transformers franchise prioritizes profit over quality, disappointing fans and risking the brand.

The Transformers live-action movie series started in 2007 under Michael Bay’s direction and quickly gained popularity. Over the next few years, Bay continued to direct all four subsequent Transformers movies until he only produced them. While the initial film was generally well-liked, reviews and audience reactions became more negative with later releases.

Despite the popularity of the live-action Transformers films, many fans continue to assert that the finest Transformers productions are animated ones, such as 1986’s Transformers: The Movie and the upcoming 2024 release, Transformers One. Given the less than stellar reputation of the live-action series, Transformers One served as a refreshing return to quality storytelling, reaffirming why so many grew fond of these characters. Sadly, it appears that the sequel to Transformers One will not materialize. Instead, Michael Bay is slated to direct another live-action installment in the series.

Why Isn’t Transformers One Getting A Sequel Despite A Stellar Reception?

One standout movie among those featuring Transformers is “Transformers One,” praised for its impressive voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, and a brilliant choice in Steve Buscemi as Starscream. Critics have given it high marks, scoring an 89% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with both audiences and critics appreciating the compelling origin story of iconic characters from Transformers lore. Unfortunately, the studio didn’t see the box office success they anticipated.

As a devoted admirer, I found myself in awe of the $75 million budget allocated for Transformers One, a seemingly modest figure compared to Michael Bay’s grandiose live-action ventures. However, the film’s global earnings of $129 million fell short of what was anticipated, leaving me with a sense of disappointment that echoes the potential it held.

With an iconic intellectual property, a cast of beloved heroes and villains, and rave reviews, Transformers One seemed destined for greatness. Given the fervor among fans for this film, the lack of a sequel feels like a deeper blow. Josh Cooley, director of Transformers One, shared this sentiment through Collider.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any news to share at the moment. I’ve heard that Paramount Animation is not planning a sequel, but I certainly wish we could make one. I do have some ideas for it, and I think it would be quite exciting. However, we’ll just have to wait and see what transpires in the future. After all, you never know!

Although there won’t be a follow-up for “Transformers One”, Michael Bay continues to play a role as a producer in the animated version. He aims to regain control of the live-action series and direct them again.

Michael Bay Is Reportedly Returning To The World Of Transformers

Michael Bay played a significant role in bringing the Transformers to life on the big screen, and the initial movie managed to grab fan interest, although it didn’t fully embody the characters they adored. Unfortunately, Bay delivered declining quality for the franchise as the sequels rolled out. Over time, each new film received progressively lower ratings from critics, as per Rotten Tomatoes. Moreover, audiences consistently gave the subsequent films poor reviews.

Movie RT Critic Score RT Audience Score
Transformers (2007) 57% 85%
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) 19% 57%
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) 35% 55%
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) 18% 50%
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) 16% 43%
Bumblebee (2018) 91% 75%
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) 51% 91%
Transformers One (2024) 89% 97%

According to Rotten Tomatoes, it appears that the highest-rated movies in this franchise weren’t directed by Michael Bay. Each of his films received a poor rating from critics. Additionally, except for the first film released in 2007, it seems that audiences have generally disliked Bay’s movies based on their scores. Interestingly, viewers seemed particularly delighted by “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” which underperformed at the box office, possibly due to Michael Bay’s chaotic handling of the series.

As a passionate fan, I can’t hide my surprise upon learning from Puck News, as reported by Screen Rant, that Michael Bay is planning to direct another Transformers movie. This revelation prompts me to wonder: Why? If the poor Rotten Tomatoes ratings are any indication, it seems that the franchise would benefit more from a fresh set of creators. With Bay in charge, I fear we’re in store for yet another serving of superficial action and underdeveloped characters, which could only lead to disillusionment among fans who long for something superior.

The Transformers Franchise Prioritizes Profit Over Quality

Despite the fact that Bay’s “Transformers” movies have consistently fallen short of audience expectations, it’s evident why the director would choose to return. Studios prioritize profits over quality, and the financial success at the box office demonstrates this.

Movie Worldwide Box Office (According to Box Office Mojo)
Transformers (2007) $709 million
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) $836 million
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) $1.123 billion
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) $1.104 billion
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) $605 million
Bumblebee (2018) $467 million
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) $441 million
Transformers One (2024) $129 million

In the Transformers franchise, movies that received high praise such as Transformers One and Bumblebee didn’t perform as well as anticipated at the box office, contrastingly, most of Bay’s films brought in enormous profits. However, it seems there’s a discernible trend here. The higher-rated films within the franchise started underperforming financially only after Bay compromised the brand’s quality. Continuing to entrust Michael Bay with the next installment could be a mistake, likely resulting in another flop and further damaging the Transformers brand instead of allowing it to flourish with fresh approaches like the original Transformers movie did for its audience.

If Bay decides to direct another film in the Transformers series, there’s a possibility that its performance at the box office could be less than favorable. While Transformers: The First Movie didn’t perform well initially, it has found success on streaming platforms and is gaining widespread affection among audiences. However, instead of exploring fresh concepts, the Transformers saga seems destined for more “Bay-style chaos.

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2025-07-05 20:10