It has been widely reported in the past that Transformers: Age of Extinction is the start of a whole new trilogy, with a reworked cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor, along with a host of new and old Transformers. When asked where this particular movie fits in with the original three, Michael Bay confirmed that it is meant to be a separate storyline that will continue on in two more films. Though he isn't sure he'll be back to helm those future installments, with Transformers 5 debuting in 2017.
"It's kind of like a new Transformers. We had three, the first trilogy, and this is going to be the next one. Yeah, it's the first of a new trilogy. I'm not necessarily sure that I'm doing [the others], but that's what it's meant for."
Entertainment Weekly debuted a fresh look at Dinobot Grimlock and the Transformer bounty hunter known as Lockdown, who is neither an Autobot or Decepticon and takes the form of a Lamborghini Aventador, along with their Michael Bay interview. Check them out, and then read on for more from the director about these new additions to the cast.
Transformers: Age of Extinction Grimlock Photo
Transformers: Age of Extinction Lockdown Photo
Many longtime fans of the original TV series were excited to see that Grimlock and the Dinobots will be a part of this new story. In Marvel's Transformers comic book series, Grimlock was the head of a special-ops team that camouflaged themselves as dinosaurs after they crash landed on Earth in prehistoric times. However, in the TV series, the Dinobots were weapons created by the Autobots, after they were inspired by some fossils they discovered. Will Transformers: Age of Extinction feature a new origin story for the Dinobots? Michael Bay isn't saying, quite yet.
"I like to keep things very much in the dark. But yes, you'll understand why they're there when you see the movie. If you think I'm supposed to give away a lot of story points? No way! Keep it secret."
The filmmaker did reveal some technical specifications for Grimlock, offering that he is a completely digital creation that spans 150 feet in length from tail to nostrils, standing 63.5 feet tall from the ground to the top of his horns, while weighing 850 tons.
The director also spoke about Lockdown, an intergalactic bounty hunter who makes his way to Earth in this sequel.
"Lockdown is an interesting character. He travels the galaxy, he works for somebody else. And he's here for one person, one alien, and then he's out of here. So he doesn't really want to take sides. The cause and balance of the galaxy is kind of messed up when different species play with different species. And that opens up a whole other gigantic world for Transformers."
He also hinted that fans won't learn too much about Lockdown, since his presence is meant to set up appearances in future movies.
"Lockdown's ship has a lot of meaning that can go into other movies. There's a lot of backstory about that ship that's not laid out here. You're going to see a few things where you're like 'What is that? And what is that?' And you're going to see a couple shots like, 'Wait a minute, who are they?' But we don't answer those questions."
He also addressed rumors that his original Transformers trilogy star Shia LaBeouf was fired, insisting that their parting of ways was mutual.
"It's all good. He's a good guy, but three movies, the same guy, it's time, you know what I'm saying? It's always good to freshen it up and change the story. No, no it was mutual. He only wanted to do three, and I think that's all. Then I pulled Mark into this after Pain & Gain, because we had a great time working together."
Mark Wahlberg also gave some new insight into the story, revealing that Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen, who, along with the other Autobots, isn't welcome on Earth anymore.
"[The government] wants to wipe out all the Transformers, all the Autobots. Optimus has lost all faith in humankind, and I'm trying to convince him there is still good in the world and we need to work together."
Michael Bay added that Optimus and his Autobots are not appreciated by mankind for all the good they have done.
"He's done good for earth, and he's been f-ked over."
