Suspense crime, Digital Desk : He defined the look, feel, and explosive scale of the live-action Transformers franchise for a decade. Now, long-time producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has sparked fresh debate among fans by stating that the door is “always open” for original director Michael Bay to return to the director’s chair.

Bay helmed the first five films in the series, turning them into a multi-billion dollar box office juggernaut with his signature style of high-octane action, dubbed “Bayhem.” While these films were immensely profitable, Bay announced his departure from the director’s role after 2017’s The Last Knightseeking to explore other creative projects.

Since then, the franchise has shifted gears, first with the more character-focused prequel Bumblebee and then by launching a new trilogy with Rise of the Beasts.

In a recent interview, di Bonaventura acknowledged Bay’s desire to move on but expressed a personal hope that the director’s passion for the universe might one day lure him back.

“I hope he does,” the producer said, reflecting on Bay’s deep connection to the franchise’s mythology. “He’s said he’s done, and I think he means it. But you never know… I think his love for the franchise is still there.”

While there are no active plans to bring Bay back—with an animated prequel, Transformers Oneand a sequel to Rise of the Beasts currently in the works—di Bonaventura’s comments make it clear that the bridge has not been burned. For fans who miss the epic, world-shattering scale of the original films, this keeps a glimmer of hope alive that Michael Bay might one day return to the world of Autobots and Decepticons.

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