We have learned that the next Transformers film is officially in pre-production with Patrick Tatopoulos set to serve as the production designer.
Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct the new Transformers film, with the studio seeing him as the “best fit for the franchise”, according to Deadline. Paramount is very well on their way to revamping the franchise following the critical failures of the Michael Bay saga and the commercial success of Travis Knight’s Bumblebee. Choosing the filmmaker behind Creed II is a definite sign that the studio is moving on to a stronger path.
Joby Harold has written and pitched a screenplay to Paramount, who were most impressed from what he had to offer compared to other writers who aimed for the position. Harold has previously produced major hits such as Edge of Tomorrow and John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum. His next project is Lucasfilm and Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which begins production in March in the U.K. and features the return of both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen as Obi-Wan and Darth Vader respectively.
Patrick Tatopoulos is a highly experienced production designer that will certainly bring a new style to franchise with this reboot. He has previously served as the production designer on Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League (the Snyder cut included). He also has worked as a production designer on Total Recall (2012) , Maleficent Mistress of All Evil, Outlander, and Independence Day.
He is also known for being a heavily experienced creature designer, having worked on designs for I Am Legend, Spawn, Godzilla (1998), Stuart Little, and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast remake. Here’s to hoping that more life can be brought to visualizing the Autobots and Decepticons than what we have seen so far.
Paramount has scheduled the new Transformers film to be released on June 24, 2022. This is up to change, of course, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
