Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay Returning For Next Transformers Movie — Here's What That Means

Alexa, please blast "What I've Done" by Linkin Park at full freakin' volume. Once upon a time, when superheroes were barely a glint in the eyes of many a studio shareholder, Michael Bay redefined the parameters of blockbuster excess with his "Transformers" films. Big explosions, hot movie stars, and (to its credit) some of the finest visual effects work we've ever seen on the big screen brought audiences to the theaters over and over again ... until they didn't. It seemed pop culture finally had its fill of so-called "Bayformers" over the years, culminating in the director stepping away from the IP following "The Last Knight" in 2017.

Well, everything old is new again, as Deadline reports that Bay is currently in "early talks" to make his grand return to the franchise he helped popularize in the first place. Oh, and he's bringing along a very famous friend, too. After serving as producer and a key creative voice on the 2007 "Transformers" film (although his influence waned with each subsequent installment), Steven Spielberg has also been courted to come back in the same role for this latest entry. All we know about the script is that it comes from go-to genre screenwriter Jason Fuchs ("Wonder Woman," "Argylle," HBO's "It: Welcome to Derry") and apparently takes place in the modern day, as opposed to the period settings of recent films like "Bumblebee" and the 1990s-set sequel "Rise of the Beasts."

You can probably hear the cash register sound effects going off all across the Paramount/Skydance lot as we speak. But what does this mean for those of us interested in the further adventures of the Autobots and those dastardly Decepticons, particularly following the great Peter Cullen's death? That's the question of the day.

Consider this one of the first major dominos to fall now that the Paramount/Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger officially appears to be crossing the finish line. With a new mega studio on the prowl, made up of disparate parts of other preexisting companies absorbed into a more imposing conglomerate, only a constant need to consume can sustain itself now. To borrow an awfully relevant visual from "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," yes, I'm basically comparing the newly-titled Skydance to the Decepticon known as Devastator. If the boot fits and all, you know?

The most pressing item on Skydance CEO David Ellison's agenda, apparently, is figuring out the future of the "Transformers" franchise. It's no secret that a number of soft openings for the most recent movies have put the once-invaluable property on the backburner — to the extent that the hyped-up tease for a "Transformers"/"G.I. Joe" crossover now appears to be all but dead. So, what better way to reinvigorate interest in the IP than by bringing back what worked so well the first time around? If this goes through and Michael Bay indeed makes his way back to the director's chair with Steven Spielberg in tow, would anyone be surprised to see someone like original star Shia LeBeouf not too far behind him? The only question is: Who will fill the immense shoes left by Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime ... presuming they don't opt for any AI-related funny business, that is.

To that end, Page Six adds an intriguing detail to the mix. Bay reportedly "has been negotiating to get final cut on the film," which may be the one remaining detail to be ironed out. If so, strap in, folks. Bayformers may be back and as excessive as ever.