What’s the Word on ‘Transformers 3’?

$201 million.   That’s how much ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ has made in the US alone since its release last Wednesday.   Considering DreamWorks/Paramount have already made a $1 million profit in just five days, the chances of them wanting to put ‘Transformers 3’ into production as soon as humanly possible are pretty good.   In fact, if it were up to studio execs in either of those two companies, Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, and the rest of the crew would get back on set first thing this morning.

Word goes all the way back to March that Paramount announced a Summer 2011 release date for ‘Transformers 3.’   This date was based on a phone conversation between Paramount and Bay, one that Bay said was via a crappy phone connection.   Because of those communication issues, Paramount said 2011, Bay was of the mind that the film would not be released until 2012.

“My brain needs a break from fighting robots,” Bay announced in a post on his online forum.

The 2012 date may become more of a likelihood if Bay’s negotiations to direct the adaptation of the sci-fi novel ‘I Am Number Four’ wrap up.   That film, about a group of alien teens being hunted by the enemy that destroyed their planet, could have Bay as a producer and he may even step into the director’s chair for it.

The rights for ‘I Am Number Four’ are in the process of being picked up by DreamWorks.   If that were to happen, I’m sure they would rather have Bay direct ‘Transformers 3’ than this untested opener for a possible franchise.

Bay has also expressed interest in departing the world of ginormous-budgeted explosions for a smaller film, ‘Pain & Gain.’   That film, a dark comedy about a couple of steroid-abusing meatheads who get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping plot, has been on Bay’s plate for a number of years.   It looked like he was hoping to jump aboard that project next.

Now comes the speculation that Paramound/DreamWorks might move forward with immediate production on ‘Transformers 3’ with or without Bay at the helm.   However, the ‘Transformers’ films, like them or not, are undeniably where they are, because of Bay’s eye for blockbuster filmmaking.   Bringing in a Brett Ratner or McG or someone even further off the radar to take over the franchise would be the beginning of the end for the series.   Granted, Ratner taking over the ‘X-Men’ franchise produced the highest-grossing film in that series’ history, though the profits based on that film’s budget were pretty low.   Regardless, nobody wants to make a decision that could potentially “Schumacher” a franchise.   My guess is that Paramount and DreamWorks will do whatever they can to keep Bay happy and on board as director.   This even includes pushing the release date for ‘Transformers 3’ back another year.

Only time will tell, though, and final word on ‘Transformers 3’ is likely to come before the end of the week.   Stay tuned.   We’ll keep you posted.