Transformers 6 Loses Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay

It seems that Paramount and Hasbro’s Transformers franchise has just lost its star, along with its director. Mark Wahlberg recently revealed that “Transformers: The Last Knight” might be his last film in the series. The news also comes on the heels of director Michael Bay’s own confession that he won’t be returning to helm Transformers 6.

Photo via Andrew Cooper (Paramount Pictures)

Thinking positively, the departures of Wahlberg and Bay could end up a good thing for the franchise. Transformers has been in dire need of reinvention, particularly after some unfavorable critic reviews for its past two films. A new director and star could definitely shake things up for the better.

Wahlberg gets his life back after ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’

Will Transformers be getting a third protagonist for future films? It turns out that “Transformers: The Last Knight” might also be Mark Wahlberg’s last film in the series. “It’s the last one. This is the last Transformers. Michael Bay has vowed that this is it. So I get my life back,” the star revealed on the Graham Norton Show.

Photo via Andrew Cooper (Paramount Pictures)

Wahlberg debuted in the series as the inventor Cade Yeager in “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and also starred in the sequel. He became the franchise’s new protagonist after the departure of Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky in the first three films. Now, if Wahlberg’s words can be taken at face value, it looks like Paramount will be searching for a new star along with a new director.

What’s next for Michael Bay?

Michael Bay says he’s finally stepping down from the Transformers franchise, after five films as the series’ director. “I’ve done it enough and I’ve had a great time doing it. I’m going out with a bang on this one,” Bay said to Fandango. Transformers took a lot out of him and now he might turn his career towards something a little more serious and adult.

Photo via Paramount Pictures

Still, this might not be the last we see of Bay in the Transformers universe. He wants to quit the franchise while he’s ahead – but this isn’t the first time he’s expressed a desire to leave. Bay made similar confessions after Dark of the Moon and Age of Extinction, only to be brought back again as director. But who knows? Maybe this time he’ll keep his word and hand over the creative reins to someone else.

14 possible ‘Transformers’ movies in the future

Looks like Transformers is here to stay—for a long, long time. While promoting “The Last Knight” at CinemaCon, Michael Bay revealed that Paramount has 14 potential Transformers movies lined up for the future. Reportedly, the 12 writers in the Transformers writers room each penned a treatment for a movie, leading to the explosion of sequels, prequels and spin-offs looming on the horizon.

Photo via Industrial Light & Magic/Paramount Pictures

Most of these treatments remain a mystery, but some of the writers and producers have given hints regarding the franchise’s future. We know that “Transformers: The Last Knight” will have three sequels, at the least: the currently unnamed Transformers 6, 7 and 8 projects. Details on Transformers 6 are sparse and nonexistent for Transformers 7 and 8. However, we do know that Paramount has set a June 28, 2019, release for Transformers 6. Transformers 7 and 8 are much further down the line, intended for release in Summer 2021 and 2023, respectively. Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner also hinted that Transformers 6 might head to Cybertron and delve more into the homeworld of the Autobots and Decepticons.

Photo via Industrial Light & Magic/Paramount Pictures

Apart from the main line-up, Paramount also has some spin-offs on the backburner. This includes a Bumblebee prequel directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings) in his live-action directorial debut. Christina Hodson wrote the script, which focuses on Bumblebee in the 1980s before he met Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) is reportedly in talks to star in the film.

Photo via Industrial Light & Magic/Paramount Pictures

Other Transformers movies that might hit the big screen include an animated movie centered around the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons and a live-action film set in ancient Rome.