Steven Spielberg Returns to Iconic Sci-Fi Franchise That Earned $5B Worldwide

Paramount isn’t finished with the Transformers universe. The industry outlet Deadline reports exclusively that a new live-action film is in the works and that familiar names are circling the project: Steven Spielberg, who serves as an executive producer on the series, is said to be taking a more hands-on role in shaping the film’s creative direction — a level of involvement similar to what he had on the first two movies.

Even more surprising, Michael Bay — the filmmaker who directed the initial three installments — is reportedly in discussions to direct the new entry. That possibility will excite longtime fans who associate the franchise with Bay’s kinetic visual style and penchant for large-scale, explosive action sequences, traits that helped make Transformers one of the standout sci-fi series of the 2000s.

A franchise worth billions

If the project moves ahead, it would mark the eighth live-action film in the Transformers saga. The most recent release, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023), brought in about $441 million worldwide against an estimated production budget of $195–200 million. Across all entries, the franchise has generated more than $5.4 billion at the global box office.

No casting details have been announced so far. Screenwriter Jason Fuchs — known for his work on the Minecraft feature and the series It: Welcome to Derry — has been assigned to write this new chapter, which is reported to take place in the present day.

Michael Bay’s most recent feature is the 2022 action-thriller Ambulance, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Transformers 8, coming soon to theaters