Michael Bay in Talks for "Transformers 4"

During the making of "Transformers 3," both Shia LaBeouf and director Michael Bay said that they will not return for any more installments inthe franchise. Now in an interview with Steven Spielberg, Entertainment Weekly asked him if Bay may come back for a possible fourth film.

"I hope so, because I think he made the best of the three with this last one," said Spielberg. "I certainly can't imagine anybody other than Michael being equipped to make another 'Transformers.' He'sinventeda genre and he's got the secret formula."

It seems that Bay is now warming up to the idea of directing "Transformers4," as long as he finally gets the chance to make his small budget "Pain and Gain" movie. "We're talking about it, but there's nothing right now," he said during an unveiling of "Transformers: The Ride" inSingapore. "I'm going to do a tiny movie first, then we'll talk about it, if I potentially do it."

Sounds like Bay will be convinced to make "Transformers4," just like he was talked into "Transformers 3." And if Bay returns, LaBeouf won't be far behind.

Steven Spielberg Talks Michael Bay Returning for TRANSFORMERS 4; Plus an Update on INDIANA JONES 5

Director Steven Spielberg has two very different movies coming out this holiday season. One is a fun, animated action-adventure (The Adventures of Tintin), while the other is a very serious drama about World War I (War Horse). In anticipation of the release of those films, The Beard recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly. His full interview will run in the latest issue, but the director made some comments regarding Michael Bay returning for a fourth Transformers pic and gave an update on Indiana Jones 5, both of which are now available. In addition, he addressed recent discouraging comments he made about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Hit the jump to see what he had to say. 

Speaking with EW, Spielberg was asked whether he thought Bay would ever return for another Transformers outing. Here’s his response (with a big thanks to /Film for the quotes):

“I hope so, because I think he made the best of the three with this last one. I certainly can’t imagine anybody other than Michael being equipped to make another Transformers. He’s invented a genre and he’s got the secret formula.”

While I didn’t quite feel that the insanely cool action towards the end of Dark of the Moon made up for the rest of it, Spielberg apparently feels differently. There seems to be a glimmer of hope for those keen on Bay returning, as evidenced by the action director’s recent comments to Channel News Asia (via /Film):

“How did I know someone’s going to ask me this question today? We’re talking about it, but there’s nothing right now. I’m going to do a tiny movie first, then we’ll talk about it, if I potentially do it.”

Initially Bay was pretty adamant that Dark of the Moon was his last effort for the franchise, but it definitely sounds like he’s thinking about changing his mind. If he does indeed come back, Paramount will be extremely happy.

Spielberg also addressed some revealing comments he made recently regarding Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, echoing his previous sentiment that his job on Indiana Jones is basically to best bring to life George Lucas’ vision:

“I’m really proud of the movie. I loved bringing Marion back. I love the fact that Indy now has a son. It’s a family action film, and I love that whole conceit. It’s public that George and I and Harrison all had a clash about genre and concept. But I’ve always told George’s stories. My biggest contribution was adding the father to the third movie. That was my idea, to cast Sean Connery as Harrison’s father. I am best friends with George and I’m very obedient to the stories that he writes. I’ll fight things I don’t believe in but ultimately if George wants to bring interdimensional beings into Crystal Skull, I will do the best job I possible can to acquit George’s idea and make him proud.”

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a great movie, so I think what we’ve learned here is deferring to Mr. Spielberg’s expertise is a pretty good call. Whatever your feelings are regarding Crystal Skull, it looks like a fifth entry of the franchise is very much in the works, as Spielberg provided the following update:

“It’s up to George. We have already agreed on the genre of the fifth movie, we already have a concept in mind. I don’t know where George is with the story. There is no Indy 5 until George says there is.”

Here’s hoping Indy 5 is alien and refrigerator-free. You can read the full interview in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly.

Jason Statham Denies Replacing Shia LaBeouf in Next 'Transformers' Films

The 'Killer Elite' actor claims that he doesn't even know he has been rumored to be cast in 'Transformers 4' and '5' as the replacer of the Sam Witwicky depicter.

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After Shia LaBeouf said on several different occasions that he will not return for the next "Transformers" movies, rumors ran wild that Jason Statham was eyed to replace the Sam Witwicky depicterr. However, the 44-year-old actor whose girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley replaced Megan Fox in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" has personally slammed the swirling speculations.

The "Killer Elite" thesp told MTV that he didn't even know he's been rumored to be cast in the autobot-war film franchise. "You know, I don't know how those things start. You read them. Someone told me about it. [But] the internet is a dangerous place," he said. "There's a lot of stuff out there."

Though denying his involvement in the next "Transformers" films, Statham still sang praises to director Michael Bay. "I've got a lot of stuff in front of me, but Michael Bay is a talented man. This last one just made a billion dollars around the world, so people like his films. He's a talented man," so the British actor gushed.

On Monday, October 17, Hasbro announced that the toy company is currently in "active discussion" with Paramount Pictures, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg about making "Transformers 4" and "5". Variety reported that Paramount plans to shoot the two movies back-to-back to save the budget. Multiple sources additionally revealed that Bay is still interested in helming the projects despite rumors to the contrary.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" has grossed $1.1. billion worldwide, placing it on the fourth place in the all-time box-office list. It was released in U.S. theaters last June 29, with LaBeouf, Whiteley, as well as Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel lining up in the cast ensemble.

Michael Bay Confirms He Is Not Involved in 'Transformers 4' and '5'

Photo credit: jlnphotography/Johnny Louis/WENN

After Jason Statham slammed the rumors that he might replace Shia LaBeouf in the next "Transformers" movies, director Michael Bay also spoke up to clarify the report that he's still interested to helm the sequels. The "Armageddon" filmmaker claimed that he will not return as the director for "Transformers 4" and "5".

Through a message on Shoot for the Edit forum, the 46-year-old filmmaker confirmed, "I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports." He continued, "I'm looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options. "

Bay elaborated furthermore that he is now focusing on his passion project called "Pain and Gain", writing, "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." He added, "Also just finishing the 3 disc set of the 'Transformers' trilogy."

Last Monday, October 17, Hasbro confirmed that it is currently in "active discussion" with Bay, Steven Spielberg and Paramount Pictures about developing "Transformers 4" and "5". Variety reported that Paramount plans to shoot the sequels back-to-back to save budgets, adding that Bay is still interested to direct and Statham is likely to replace LaBeouf as the lead actor.

Following the report, Statham poured cold water to the rumors about his involvement in the autobot-war film franchise. Speaking to MTV, he claimed that he wondered how the gossip started. "You know, I don't know how those things start. You read them. Someone told me about it. [But] the internet is a dangerous place. There's a lot of stuff out there," so he said.

The latest "Transformers" movie, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" was released last June 29. It has grossed $1.1. billion worldwide, placing it on the fourth place in the all-time box-office list. Bay served behind the lens, while LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson as well as Josh Duhamel are among the cast ensemble.

'Transformers 4' and '5' to Be Filmed Back-to-Back, Michael Bay Still Interested to Direct

Paramount considers to film the next 'Transformers' movies without a pause to save the budget, while Bay is reportedly still interested to take the helming duty although he focuses on another project।

Following the success of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", Hasbro plans to make the fourth and fifth installments soon. In a statement during a third-quarter earnings conference call on Monday, October 17, Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner said that the toy giant is in "active discussion" with Paramount Pictures, Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg about the next "Transformers" movies.

Variety reported that Paramount, which has the licenses of the "Transformers" franchise from Hasbro, considers to shoot the fourth and fifth installments back-to-back. The plan is made to save the budget because the deals for cast and crew can only be negotiated once. As for the plot, screenwriter Ehren Kruger reportedly has already had an idea that the studio is interested to.

Although it has been said that Bay may not return as the director, multiple sources close to the project revealed that the filmmaker is still interested to helm the upcoming "Transformers" movies, in addition to being attached as the executive producer along with Spielberg. Bay is now concentrating on his passion project called "Pain and Gain", but he could finish it before the upcoming "Transformers" films start the production in late 2012 or early 2013.

"Transformers 4" and "5" might be going without lead actor Shia LaBeouf. Last July, during the New York premiere of "Dark of the Moon", the Sam Witwicky depicter claimed, "If they're going to do it again, they have to attempt it with somebody else." Words are, Jason Statham has been eyed to replace LaBeouf. Statham is believed to have the capability to bring different image for the robot film franchise.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon", which was released on June 29 in U.S. theaters, has grossed $1.1 billion worldwide. The movie is placed in the fourth spot on the all-time box office list. It also stars Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who replaces Megan Fox as the leading lady, Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel.

'Transformers 4: Rise of Galvatron' Trailer(2013)[HD]

Jason Statham Denies Replacing Shia LaBeouf in Next 'Transformers' Films

It’s been a momentous week for the Transformers franchise. So is there going to be a Transformers 4 or a reboot? And what can we expect from it?

A couple of days ago Transformers: Dark of the Moon reached $1 billion worldwide gross. That’s $338 million in the US and $663 million internationally. Incredibly it’s the first billion dollar grossing movie in Paramount’s 99 year history. And it’s one of the 10 highest grossing films worldwide of all time. This was no doubt helped by the inflated ticket price of 3D, but still it’s a great achievement, especially coming off the back of a generally disliked second movie.

So what happens now? Shia LaBeouf and Michael Bay have had enough. Shia told MTV “I’m not coming back to do another one. I don’t think Mike [Bay] will either,” the actor continued. “It is still a hot property I think, especially coming out of the third one. So I imagine they’ll reboot it at some point with someone else.” Bay wrote on his site, “I’m kind of sad to leave the franchise.”

It’s a common Hollywood tactic to pretend you want to leave a successful franchise just to boost your next payday. But after five years of Transformers blue-screen filmmaking and more money than they could ever spend, it could well be genuine.

If they do go, will it mean a reboot like Shia suggests? No. The producer has stated “Certainly not a reboot. We haven’t lost the Transformers. They didn’t grow up or become expensive like Tobey Maguire. I’m pretty sure there will be a second trilogy. I am pretty sure it will kick ass. And I am pretty sure some of you will hate it because it wasn’t all bots.”

There have been rumours that Spielberg might direct or that Jason Statham might be the new leading man (he’s dating Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in real life), but trust me those will prove to be nonsense. Bay himself has said the Statham thing is untrue.

TRANSFORMERS 3 SPOILERS: One problem Transformers 4 will have is how to deal with the bridges burnt by Bay at the end of Dark of the Moon. Killing Starscream and Megatron in such a final way means there’s going to be a huge gap in future movies. Then again, could Megatron somehow be recovered enough to become Galvatron (the ‘re-born’ form of a destroyed Megatron)? And were they both fairly minor players in Dark of the Moon anyway?

Bay said he wasn’t keen on the Dinobots, but if he’s exiting then this would seem the time. They’re great characters, would present a fresh new spectacle on screen (giant metal dinosaurs trashing a city), and their prehistoric-form would offer some obvious plot opportunies if it meant prehistoric-origins too. The series sure does love to show the Transformers dropping in on earth’s history.

Unicron (the planet-sized Transformer from the original animated movie) is the villain most fans want to see. While this would be jaw-droppingly spectacular, it does present a huge logistical problem – how is Shia LaBeouf’s human replacement going to battle something the size of a planet?