Paramount Turns to Spielberg for Next Transformers Movie

Paramount is reportedly giving Steven Spielberg a larger creative role in its next live-action Transformers movie, while Michael Bay is in early talks to return as director. The studio is turning back to the filmmakers who helped launch a franchise that has earned more than $5.4 billion worldwide. Spielberg will remain an executive producer and lead the film’s creative direction alongside longtime producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. Deadline reported that Paramount has appointed Spielberg to “focus on all creative aspects” of the project. Bay’s return isn’t a done deal. If talks lead to an agreement, he’ll direct the franchise’s eighth live-action film. Bay directed the first five movies before stepping away after 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight. The next installment is based on a script by Jason Fuchs, whose credits include It: Welcome to Derry. The story takes place in the present day. No release date has been announced, and the main plot remains under wraps. Fuchs’ script helped bring Spielberg into a more active role. According to Deadline, Spielberg agreed to take on those duties after reading the latest draft. Bay also read the script and met with Spielberg before entering ...