If Michael Bay Bows Out of Transformers 4, Could Steven Spielberg Step In?

Tyrese Gibson spoke with MovieWeb earlier this week, suggesting that if indeed what Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky) says is true, and that he and Michael Bay are walking away from the franchise, Steven Spielberg is a great safety net.

"[H]ere is the safety net. Are you ready for this?" Mr. Gibson asks during his interview with MovieWeb.

"Michael Bay decides to not come back for Transformers 4. There is always Steven Spielberg!"

However, what should not be glazed over is the fact that in the sentence right after, he clarifies, "I am not saying that Steven Spielberg is for a fact going to direct Transformers 4," but everybody is already treating the rumor like there is already some truth in it.

The truth of the matter is, nobody knows how well Transformers Dark of the Moon is going to do.

But with Paramount Pictures low-balling the picture at $150 Million, with a special sneak-preview on Tuesday, June 28th at 9PM in the more-expensive 3D and IMAX theaters, and the normally well-producing the July 4th weekend has been for the Transformers live-action franchise, it's not hard to think that Paramount and Hasbro want Transformers 4.

Not to mention how much 3D and IMAX usually help the bottom-line of a film's draw. IMAX accounted for nearly $14.5 million of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen's $200 million take the first weekend in 2009.

However, as Mr. Gibson stated, "There are no concepts, no direction, no nothing for Transformers 4, because everyone has been so focused on Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

The rumor that Mr. Spielberg may step in makes sense, and as Mr. Gibson puts it, he has been overseeing this for the last six years - give or take - so that is not a far fetch.

Mr. Bay has been known to give entertaining popcorn flicks that do not require much thought, but deliver on pure enjoyment.

Mr. Spielberg is known for both.

Regardless of who stays, leaves, or steps in, after Transformers Dark of the Moon releases and the first weekend's numbers are out, we will most likely know which direction the franchise will head.

If it flops (who really thinks this, though?), back to the drawing board and a reboot will definitely be coming.

If it succeeds (with the wide-distribution this film is getting, it is trending this way), the Bay-developed concept will most likely remain rooted, and this dog and pony show about who will stay, go, and what will be the next villain, will continue to dominate the lives of Transformers fans for the next couple of years to come.