For too long, the Transformers franchise has been held back by corporate mismanagement and creative interference…specifically from Paramount and longtime producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. Fans embraced the heart and character of Bumblebee (2018), a reboot helmed by Travis Knight that proved Transformers films could have emotional weight and accuracy to the source material without sacrificing action. Unfortunately, Paramount turned down plans for a Transformers universe and pivoted back toward Bayverse-style storytelling in Rise of the Beasts, undoing much of the goodwill built by Bumblebee and derailing the momentum of a promising new universe.

While I like Rise of the Beasts for what it is and appreciate what they were trying to do, it was a step down compared to Bumblebee and was a slight letdown when we waited almost 5 years for a new Transformers film.

Meanwhile, Transformers One, an standalone animated film with strong creative talent, had little support in promotion or confidence from its own studio. With no updates on its sequel or the announced Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover, fans are left in the dark.

Paramount has officially announced that Michael Bay will be returning to helm what is described as a “new version” of Transformers (possibly a new reboot, possibly just stupid wording from Paramount and Lorenzo). The studio apparently had wanted a reboot all this time, the y just didn’t want the people behind Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts to take charge.

We urge Hasbro to:

Move the Transformers film rights away from Paramount and Lorenzo di Bonaventura, possibly to Universal Pictures.

Partner with Legendary Pictures who are already collaborating on other Hasbro properties like Magic: The Gathering and Laika (Travis Knight’s production company) to oversee Transformers and potential G.I. Joe projects.

Bring back Travis Knight and Josh Cooley to guide the creative direction of the Knightverse and Transformers One’s sequels, and treat the Bayverse as concluded. 

Get new producers involved in this new project.

Move on from Michael Bay and Lorenzo di Bonaventura.

It’s time for Transformers to evolve. Let the fans have the universe they’ve been waiting for—one rooted in character, lore, and love for the franchise.