After directing four blockbuster Transformers movies, Michael Bay may be turning the franchise over to a new director. The 49-year-old director apparently wants to move on to direct other projects while still producing the wealth of content he is now (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). In an interview with USA Today, Bay talked about his desire for something new:
“There’s kind of a new chapter, a new direction in movies I want to make,” says Bay, who is eyeing a passion project, a documentary on elephant poaching. “I have a lot of stories to tell. And it’s about flexing new muscles.”
Perhaps Bay wants to hang up his usual toys and trademarks for action movies and create something much different in the second half of his life. I’m not suggesting he’ll pull a complete 180 on his style, but maybe he wants to do some much more meaningful films in addition to ones that are big, dumb and fun.
It’s not like this hasn’t been considered a possibility by the producers either. Transformers producer Lorenzo diBonaventura did discuss this earlier in an interview with Slashfilm about the future of the franchise.
I wouldn’t wanna be [the filmmaker who tapes over], but there will be somebody. I think the opportunity’s too great. My suspicion is, without having thought really about it at all, cause I really want Michael to return, I think Michael’s found the right mix for this franchise. So the sense of humor, obviously the scale. The invention that’s going on, all these things he really likes and clearly has found a way to continue to top himself.
But, you know, I guess if you had to think about who would be the next one, my guess is it would be somebody who probably was a kid who watched the show as a kid because then they’ll have a fundamental understanding of the D.N.A. in a way. And are able to bring that thing that you have when you’ve grown up with it. It sinks into you in a different way.
Whoever takes over is going to have a lot of pressure given that the Transformers franchise has made nearly $4 billion worldwide with each film being a smash hit at the box office summer after summer. As you can imagine, Lorenzo is most-likely hoping that Bay will return for the next installment. But if not, I’m sure that Bay will choose a suitable replacement (at the very least for the purposes of keeping the robotic gravy train chugging).