Transformers' Best Future Is Officially Still Happening, Despite Franchise Confusion

For a long time, Michael Bay's live-action Transformers movies defined the overarching franchise's identity even though they were preceded by countless animated shows, comics, and toys. The movies' incredible box office numbers proved Transformers' on-screen potential, but the live-action franchise soon started showing consistent diminishing returns.

Although the franchise still managed to redefine its identity with critically acclaimed movies like Bumblebee after Michael Bays' departure, the commercial numbers kept falling. Even the last live-action film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, barely broke even despite ending with a massive cliffhanger that teased a Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover.

The animated follow-up/prequel, Transformers One, earned wide acclaim but again proved that the franchise's commercial value had seemingly declined. After the franchise's recent on-screen failures, it is hard not to be a little uncertain about its future. The G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover seemed exciting, but little seems to be known about whether it is happening.

Transformers: Rise of Beasts' Sequel Is Still Happening

Fortunately, as reports confirm, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' sequel is still actively being developed. The next live-action Transformers movie has already taken the next step forward by hiring a new writer. While little seems to be known about its title or plot, the next Transformers movie is being written by Jason Fuchs, who is best known for his work in the IT franchise.

The production team for Transformers 8 includes several franchise staples, including Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian, Tom DeSanto, and Don Murphy. Given how live-action movies have been the primary drivers of the Transformers franchise for a while now, it makes sense that Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' sequel is still happening.

Since the project is still in the early stages of development, it cannot be expected to come out anytime before 2028. It still seems to spell the best possible future for the franchise. Interestingly, while waiting for its release, Transformers fans can also look forward to other intriguing projects in the franchise.

Several Other Transformers Movie Projects Have Been In The Works

Like Transformers 8, even the G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover project is still moving forward. It was previously reported that Derek Connolly (who co-wrote Jurassic World) was tapped to write the crossover. However, since Transformers 8 might potentially continue Rise of the Beasts' story and follow Anthony Ramos' character's journey after agreeing to join the G.I. Joe, there is still some confusion surrounding whether the crossover is its own thing.

Ángel Manuel Soto was also previously given the opportunity to helm a standalone Transformers movie that had nothing to do with the live-action movies' existing lore. While his Transformers project has seemingly been in development hell for quite some time, it might eventually see the light of day.

Some reports even revealed that after directing Transformers One, Josh Cooley was working on a live-action movie for the franchise. Michael Bay, too, is seemingly set to return to the franchise after all these years, with Jordan VanDina potentially penning the script of his planned project (via Knighted Media).

Most of these projects are still in the early stages of development, which raises the possibility that some might not even see the light of day. It is still exciting to know that Transformers' on-screen legacy is far from over, and we will soon get to see more of the franchise.