I mention all that because the community and news sites are at it again. Recently, Lorenzo di Bonaventura stated that there is currently a script being done for the next film in the Transformers live action franchise, one that would come after Transformers: The Last Knight. This prompted many sites to state that The last Knight was getting a sequel. While I can see the logic of that interpretation, all di Bonaventura said was that there would be another film, not that the specific storyline established in a previous film would be continued.
Basically, the next big Transformers film would come after The last Knight just like Age of Extinction came after Dark of the Moon. Set in the present, in the established live action universe, but with no real connection to past stories (which is par for the course in Transformers live action films when you think about it).
That is why when we are presented with the short interview below, where di Bonaventura answers "no" when asked by Slash Film if the next script picks up where The Last Knight left off, it fits perfectly well with all that was said. Not just by him, but by Brian Goldner, over a year ago at the 2018 Toy fair, when we were told that past stories would be dropped going forward and that a new team at Paramount was to oversee the future films.
So while we would love to be reporting you actual news, saying that the next big Transformers film will not be picking up elements from where the Last Knight left off is something we were told a long time ago.
We do have some other news though, in the same interview, di Bonaventura stated that Michael Bay would not be returning as director for upcoming Transformers films. However, this would also be par for the course as we have been told time and time again that Michael Bay was done with the franchise and yet he would still come back. Right now, all we know is that any upcoming Transformers film (either taking place in the past or present) is still at the scripting phase and there is no director attached.
Here is the latest quick interview:
For the next Transformers are you looking for new directors or hoping you can still make Michael Bay an offer?
I think Bay has made it really clear that he loved what he did and he’s not doing anymore. So I think the answer is we’re writing a script. At that point, once we get script we have a strong belief in, then we’ll begin to debate that. Michael’s made it really clear that he didn’t want to do it. I don’t blame him. He spent a hell of a lot, a decade of his life, shooting them.
Are you developing a script that picks up where The Last Knight left off?
No.