Tyrese Predicts Bay, LaBeouf Return for Transformers 4

In an interview with MovieWeb to promote the release of Fast Five, Tyrese Gibson provided the prediction that Michael Bay and Shia LaBeouf will return for Transformers 4.

"My humble prediction would be that... we're at $1.1 billion. This is the biggest year of my life. I'm on the other side of $1.7 billion in box office receipts, between both films. I think, with the success of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, both Michael Bay and Shia probably want a break from the franchise, but there's no way, I believe, that, at some point, they're not going come back to do Transformers 4. Maybe they need a few years to get a few other creative things out of their system, which is understandable, but for people to love this franchise around the world like they do, its damn-near crazy to not give the fans what they love and enjoy again. So maybe two years, maybe three years will go by, you never know, but I believe, and hope, that we are able to do another Transformers. I'm a real Transformers fan, outside of the fact that I'm in the movie, but I just hope we're able to do it again one day. It's the first film in Paramount's 99-year history that has ever grossed $1 billion. I hope we're able to figure this out."

I hope that Paramount and Hasbro have enough sense to not wait for Bay or Shia to change their mind. That is leaving profits on the table for no reason. Considering Bay clears around $80 to $100 million per movie, I can see why he might be tempted to return but I don't see why he would do it. He could slot himself as executive producer for Transformers 4 and still make nearly as much money for a 10th of the work. As for Shia, I just don't think he is interested. The got what he needed from Transformers which was enough wealth to be picky about future roles and the stats to prove to studios that he can open a movie on his name alone (which translates to higher per movie pay). Unless Paramount is willing to go $20 million+ for him to return, I just don't see it happening.

Nor should it. The franchise is about the Transformers. The human characters are not critical to the series success. Other characters can be introduced. A new director can take the helm. The key, as always, is the story. Once that nut is cracked, other decisions can be made. My hope is a true trilogy. While the first three movies are being referred to as a trilogy, they really are not in the classic use of the term. Of course I have my own ideas but considering the costs of the films, not holding my breath on a true trilogy being planned.