Optimus Prime returning and Michael Bay in the director’s chair once more – so far, so familiar for Transformers 5.
In fact, coaxed by a $21 million incentive presented by Michigan state, the next entry in Paramount’s lucrative juggernaut will head back to Detroit this summer, when production will officially get underway. It marks something of a homecoming for the Transformers series, with an official statement from Lee Rosenthal of Paramount revealing that the Motor City has been “so welcoming over the years.”
Such a blockbuster film requires an expansive crew, with Jenell Leonard of Michigan’s Film & Digital Media Office expecting Transformers 5 to boast a crew of 850, 450 of which will be Michigan residents.
Here’s an extract from Leonard’s statement:
“Having one of the highest-profile film franchises created in Michigan is a major economic boost and a testament to the talent of the state’s production community. The production and economic investment is now happening sooner rather than later, and obviously, the project is a certainty rather than merely a possibility.”
Plans are in place for Transformers 5 to set up shop in new locations across the globe beyond Michigan, though specifics are remaining under wraps for now in fear of spoilers. One way or another, Paramount’s talented writer’s room has cooked up plans for three Transformers movies in as many years, and we’re curious to see whether its prized asset can side-step franchise fatigue in the process.
Transformers 5 jump-starts a whole new trilogy for Paramount when Michael Bay’s CG-laden actioner crash lands on June 23, 2017. Shortly thereafter, fans can look forward to a Bumblebee spinoff on June 8, 2018, before the inevitable Transformers 6 checks in in time for June 28, 2019.
