Paramount and Hasbro are planning to revamp the live-actionTransformersfilm franchise with a director already in mind. After searching for months,Creed 2director Steven Caple Jr. is reportedly the top choice of Paramount and Hasbro to helm the nextTransformersfilm.
In January, Paramount opted to reinvent theTransformersfilm series by putting two scripts into active development simultaneously. James Vanderbilt reportedly penned ascreenplay based on theBeast Warsserieswhile Jaboy Harold wrote a script for a story rumored to be set in the same universe as director Travis Knight’sBumblebee.
RELATED:A New Power Rangers Film and TV Universe is Coming From Hasbro
Deadline reports that while Steven Caple Jr. and Paramount have not yet begun negotiations, a deal between both parties should be reached in the coming weeks. TheCreed 2filmmakerreportedly became viewed as the best choice to directthe revampedTransformersfranchiseafter several meetings with studio executives and producers, including Paramount Motion Picture President Emma Watts. Paramount had selected Harold’s script as the next entry in theTransformersfranchise and began taking pitches from potential directors after allowing the scribe to complete the final touches on his screenplay at the end of the summer. In addition to his work onCreed 2, a sequel to Ryan Coogler’sCreedand the eighth installment of theRockyfilm series, Caple Jr. is known for directing episodes ofGrown-ishand the drama feature titledThe Land.
The live-actionTransformersfilm series launched with the first installment from director Michael Bay in 2007. After returning to helm the four sequels, Bay departed the franchise tofocus on smaller projects. Paramount then decided to establish a writer’s room with the intent of creatively reinventing theTransformersfilms, eventually leading to the release of aBumblebeespin-off set during the ’80s with Hailee Steinfeld.
While the first five installments of the live-actionTransformersfilm series have collectively earned over $4 billion worldwide, none of them were well-received upon their release.The Bumblebeespin-off ultimately ended its box office run as the lowest-grossing entry in the franchise, but it was produced on a relatively smaller budget and received considerably more praise.
Paramount and Hasbro are also developing an animatedTransformersprequel set on Cybertron.Toy Story 4directorJosh Cooley has been tapped to helm the filmfrom a script written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.
