A fourth Transformers Movie in the works?

[griffin]

Okay let's recap on all the Transformers Movie leaks and rumours...

1 - Live action Bumblebee Movie sequel (in development with filming and budget details revealed)

2 - Live action? Beast Wars Movie

3 - Animated unknown themed Movie

4 - Live action new universe Movie - New project announced last month.

According to the information shared Marco Ramirez, the showrunner of Netflix’s Marvel show The Defenders, is set to write the script while Angel Manuel Soto, who directed last year’s teen drama, Charm City Kings, is attached to direct.

Since there was very little known, or even verified at the time, I didn't mention it... but some more info has surfaced, so this could be a legitimate project.

Angel Manuel Soto, director of the upcoming untitled Transformers movie arrived for a chat with the hosts of MoluscoTV podcast and shared few tidbits on his new venture. Fellow colleague, Black Convoy, took the honor of translating the interview for us.
Mr. Soto stated that the premises of his new Transformers movie will take place outside of United States. The story does not involve the military.
The plot is stated to be completely outside of the Bayverse.
Additionally, the director described the inception of the movie in question. He got the call from Paramount after the 2020 Sundance Film Festival where he showcased Charm City Kings. The Los Angeles production company expressed their interest to make a new and different Transformers project with him. Angel Manuel Soto personally pitched the idea to Paramount & Hasbro. The two companies liked the idea and gave a greenlight.
You can check out more juicy info, after the jump…
The Soto Transformers Project is still in an earlier stage than the upcoming DC Blue Beetle movie (also directed by Angel Manuel Soto).
The director is planning to humanize the Transformers characters on his movie (personality-wise and not design-wise). He want the robots to speak like us, in a natural way. That’s the way he remembers Transformers and the reason we felt identified with the original Transformers. He believes that when you humanize the characters, you get closer to them, love them. When there’s a human approach, you create a connection with them. If not, they are just lifeless robots.
Angel Manuel Soto is surprised to see all the reaction of fans about him directing this movie. He doesn’t want to let anybody down. While he can’t speak much details, he says that the budget is over 50 milliion dollars and it’s a challenge to manage it. He really wants to bring as much of the movie as he can to Puerto Rico.
Elsewhere, Mr. Soto stated that he always wanted to make a movie on Transformers; which he enjoyed during his childhood. Growing up, his father struggled to provide for his family but bought him Transformers toys which he loved and cherished.

I guess Hasbro wants more Movie toylines, as those previous movie years were their best for sales of Transformers toy products (to retailers... not necessarily to the general public or fans).

[griffin]

Now that we know that the first two projects are actually the same movie, some background info has surfaced that will affect the size and scale of future movies from Paramount.
Since the arrangement with a Chinese investment company has ended, there have been some changes occurring at Paramount, and it sounds like they won't be bank-rolling big budget movies in the foreseeable future (sending more movies to their new streaming service, kinda like the old direct-to-video/dvd movies that would skip the theatres and miss out on a lot of extra revenue), requiring partners like Hasbro to cover more of the cost, in exchange for more creative control.
It could be a good thing... as it might improve story and character integrity, but will reduce the amount of special effects.

[griffin]

Some more info on the restructure at Paramount, which mentions the Bumblebee movie was one of the movies recently that helped their bottom line in the last couple of years (after the losses they suffered from movies like The Last Knight).

For those who don't known, Paramount is owned by the same company that recently purchased Network 10 in Australia, so hopefully we get future programs and direct-to-streaming movies fast-tracked to their broadcast partner here.

[griffin]

Another senior departure from Paramount, during their restructure and future direction changes...

President of Paramount Pictures’ Motion Picture Group (MPG) Emma Watts has resigned from her position in the wake of the departure of CEO Jim Gianopulos and other executives.

Emma Watts was instrumental in rebuilding Paramount, following the downfall of the studio in 2017. The tasks she did were second only to Mr. Gianopulos, and she was touted as the replacement of the CEO once he resigns. In 2020, she was appointed as the overseer of Transformers & G.I. Joe Live Action Movie Franchises.

Jump to the present day. ViacomCBS Chairman Shari Redstone surprised the entire company by naming Brian Robbins as the new CEO of Paramount Pictures. After what is reportedly a heated discussion, Emma Watts stepped down from her position which was quickly filled not by one, but two heads for the Motion Picture Group. Mike Ireland & Daria Cercek will now lead MPG as co-presidents.
At the time of her departure, Emma Watts was catering to Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Dungeons & Dragons among others.

Mike Ireland & Daria Cercek is to look after the Transformers Live Action Movie Franchise as successors of Emma Watts.

The new CEO Brian Robbins stated the following:

“Paramount also benefited greatly from the deep talents of Emma Watts who, among so many accomplishments, helped build a terrific team at the studio, facilitated overall deals with top-tier talent including John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds, and shepherded a number of exciting upcoming projects including the latest film in the Star Trek franchise, the newest Transformers film, and a star-studded Dungeons & Dragons adaptation. We wish her nothing but success in her future.”

TFW2005 attended the Goldman Sachs 30th Annual Communacopia Conference to learn more about Paramount’s future plans. Bob Bakish, the President and CEO of ViacomCBS, stated that in the future Paramount will send low-budget movies directly to streaming (Paramount+ service) while kids/family-friendly movies will see ‘day and day release’ (theatrical and streaming at the same time). Big budget movies will see theatrical release followed by a short window (45 days as opposed to 90 days) to their home release. However, Mr. Bakish stated that such plans may change in the future.

[griffin]

Another big change that could effect future Transformers movie projects is that Skydance, Paramount Pictures' major financial partner, is said to be moving to partner with Apple and their film projects... which could limit budgets on future Transformers movies if Paramount doesn't find a replacement (particularly after losing their big Chinese financial backer).