It may be a bit hard to imagine what else could be explored involving transforming robots from space but Paramount just announced that three "Transformers" movies are lined up, set to hit cinemas starting 2017.
Up first, "Transformers 5" will open June 23, 2017. It will be followed by "Transformers 6" on June 8, 2018 and "Transformers 7" on June 28, 2019.
Talking to investors, Hasbro's "Transformers" franchise leader Tom Warner revealed that "Transformers 6" will actually be a spin-off dedicated to Bumblebee.
"This summer we worked closely with a talented team of A-list screenwriters to map out the future of the Transformers cinematic universe ... And we're working on a spin-off movie centered around Bumblebee for 2018," he said.
"Transformers 5" will be opening against "Wonder Woman," while Bumblebee's spin-off will be duking it out with "Godzilla 2." The last movie (so far) in the "Transformers" franchise doesn't have a clear contender yet although Disney will be releasing "The Incredibles 2" the week before it.
About eight writers have worked on drafts for the "Transformers 5" script, with Akiva Goldsman leading the way. Michael Bay is attached to direct the movie, and so is Mark Wahlberg, who starred in "Transformers: Age of Extinction." "Transformers 5" will be Bay's last gig directing in the franchise.
The first "Transformers" movie came out in 2007. Worldwide, the four movies so far released in the franchise (all directed by Bay) have collectively raked in $3.8 billion at the box office.
Bay's trademark over-the-top explosions catch the ire of critics and many moviegoers each time a "Transformers" movie comes out but it seemed like the formula worked (again, $3.8 billion at the box office, folks) so it's not a stretch to expect we'll be seeing the same thing in "Transformers 5." Overall, however, there is no word yet on what direction the fifth installment will follow.
