Director Michael Bay Says No to ‘Transformers 3’

Yesterday, Paramount and DreamWorks proudly announced eager fans that “Transformers 3” would see a theatrical release on July 1, 2011, but they did so without speaking with Michael Bay beforehand, it seems. Now, the director is voicing his frustration about the release date, saying, in more or less words, that, if the studio decides to go ahead with the date, he will not be a part of the production.

In a message on his official website, Bay stresses that he needs some time out between the “Transformers” films and will consequently bow out of the franchise if Paramount is adamant that the third installment sees the light of day in 2011. Whether the hit production will go on Bay-less is, quite understandably, the burning issue now with fans all over the world.

“Wait a minute! I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3 – they asked me on the phone – I said yes to July 4 – but for 2012 – whoops! Not 2011!!! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots.” Bay says in his message. In all fairness, all of Bay’s previous interviews made a point of him looking to take a one-year break from filming “Transformers” so, some say, he could actually be serious when saying that he’s not doing the third film.

When word broke out yesterday that “Transformers 3” would hit theaters as early as July 2011, speculation ran rampant that Paramount was quick to announce the date in a bid to still catch a good release in the agenda for the summer of that year, agenda that is filling up fast with potential box-office hits. At the same time, it was also said that it was precisely this rush that did not give Paramount enough time to negotiate contracts with the director, a writer for the script and the main stars (Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox in particular).

The very idea of the franchise going forward without Michael Bay seems preposterous at the moment for most “Transformers” fans. Yet, as remote as it might be, it’s still a possibility and, should Bay stay firm on his position, fans might as well get used to the idea of seeing a third “Transformers” film without him at the helm, several movie-oriented publications are pointing out.