Steven Spielberg Told Michael Bay To Stop Making 'Transformers' Films: Here’s Why
Since 2007, the "Transformers" franchise has released a total of five films, and it seems like Steven Spielberg didn't like the idea of putting out several movies as he previously told Michael Bay to stop.
In an interview with Unilad UK to promote his new film "Ambulance," the famed filmmaker said his good pal asked him to stop extending the franchise after three movies because he made "too many of them."
Bay assured the producer that he would stop from there, but the studio begged him to do a fourth, which became successful as it grossed a billion dollars.
Following this, he said it would be his last one, but the studio asked him again.
"They begged me again. I should have stopped. But they were fun to do," he said. (via Comicbook)
The five movies, which starred Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Mark Wahlberg, earned a combined $4 billion from theatres around the world.
"Dark of the Moon" and "Age of Extinction" reportedly earned more than a billion dollars each at the box office.
However, Bay's last film from the franchise took a different turn as it only grossed $605 million in 2017.
Michael Bay Said Making the First Transformer Film Was 'Scary'
Michael Bay then opened up about his struggles with the Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks-produced film, saying it was "scary" at first.
According to the outlet, the filmmaker was scared of directing "Transformers" because they didn't know much of the technology used at the time, but their hard work paid off as it became "very successful."
Speaking about the movie's CGI that brought Autobots and Decepticons to life, he said, "It was the first time digital effects were that highly reflective, so it broke a lot of new ground."
In the end, Bay said the experience was "fun" as the movie made more than $709 million.
"That's a lot of movie tickets and a lot of people that have seen it," he added.
The director isn't stopping anytime soon as a new movie, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is set to hit theaters on June 9, 2023.
Per Den of Geek, the movie will be a prequel story to the original "Transformers" films and takes place after 2018's "Bumblebee."
Peter Cullen is set to reprise his role as Optimus Prime. Other actors include "Judas and the Black Messiah" star Dominique Fishback, Anthony Ramos, and many more.
