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Transformers 4 Luring Michael Bay Back into Director's Chair

Steven Spielberg recently said that he would like Michael Bay to return as director for Transformers 4, which is currently in planning stages. Bay had previously announced publicly that he was "not talking to Paramount" about another Transformers movie and was instead looking to direct the body builder comedy Pain and Gain instead — a project Bay was planning to do before he was convinced by Paramount to direct this summer's Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Whether it was Spielberg, Paramount executives, or Bay himself that did the convincing this time, it looks like the action movie director has had a change of heart about returning for a fourth Transformers movie.

According to Vulture's "insiders," Bay is close to finalizing a deal to direct Transformers 4, with the understanding that he will shoot Pain and Gain first. Dwayne Johnson is reportedly in talks for one of the lead roles in the movie, which is based on a Miami New Times article about dim-witted body builders who become criminals.

Should a deal be finalized, Bay could start shooting Pain and Gain this spring and possibly start on Transformers 4 in the winter. The quick turnaround shouldn't be a problem, since Pain and Gain isn't as technically difficult as a Transformers movie.

"Spielberg does this all the time," said Vulture's insider. "Where you’re doing art development and visual effects tests on your next movie while you’re still shooting the current one."

As for what the fourth installment might be about, the insiders claim it will not be a prequel, but will continue to delve into The Transformers' canon for more characters. "Regular people might not care about bringing out a character like Sentinel Prime," an insider said about the character Leonard Nimoy voiced in Dark of the Moon. "But believe me, fans of the series cared."

What is not known is whether Bay will not only shoot Transformers 4 but also Transformers 5. It's rumored that Paramount in looking to have both movies shot back-to-back.