Fans of the Transformers series are probably aware of Hasbro’s plan to have a team of writers work out the future of the popular franchise’s universe this summer. We now know the results of that endeavor will be four new films — starting with Transformers 5, and continuing with 6, 7, and 8, that will be released over the next decade, according to a video shot by Transformer World.
Hasbro CEO Stephen Davis broke the news at the MIP Junior Conference, which is a children’s programming conference in Cannes, France.
Speaking to the crowd Davis said, “Nine of some of the most creative writers I have ever worked with, shepherded by Akiva Goldsman, who many of you may know won an Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind and [has] written a bunch of really great movies, they plotted out the next 10 years of Transformers…Transformers 5 is on the way. And 6 and 7 and 8.“
Hasbro and Paramount haven’t confirmed exactly who was involved in the round-table besides Goldsman. That said, contributors rumored to be a part of the writers room include heavy-hitters from the comic book and action film world, such as Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Steven S. DeKnight (Netflix’s Daredevil), Zak Penn (The Avengers), Art Marcum & Matt Holloway (Iron Man), Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (Ant-Man), and Ken Nolan (Black Hawk Down).
The series has also secured a long term lead in Mark Wahlberg, who starred in the most recent movie, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and has signed a multi-film deal to star in future franchise installments.
There are some rumors that do remain unconfirmed, however, such as the whispers that the franchise will offer various spin-off films a-la Star Wars, with smaller characters getting bigger starring roles.
That move would still make sense. Despite less-than-stellar reviews, the Transformers franchise has created some of the biggest blockbusters for Paramount in recent years, with Age of Extinction being the only film to break $1 billion globally last year.
Transformers 5 is still expected to see a 2017 release.
