Transformers 5 Release Date and Cast: Who's Leaving and Who's Returning?

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction may have become a box-office hit, with earnings of around $240 million in the US, and $1.3 billion worldwide; but this doesn't mean Transformers director Michael Bay will still direct its next installment, nor Mark Wahlberg will still be part of the successful production.

That's what the 49-year old director said in an interview with USA Today. "There's kind of a new chapter, a new direction in movies I want to make. . .I have a lot of stories to tell. And it's about flexing new muscles," Bay said as he explained his reason for finally leaving the movie.

According to Breathecast.com, Bay said that there's a lot that's unexplored in the (Transformers) story. "But that's for the next director to figure out. They're hard movies to do and it takes every day for two years. They're fun, but they're hard," he explained.

Among those who expressed disappointment from Bay's announcement is Peter Cullen, the voice talent for robot protagonist Optimus Prime.

In an interview with Cinema Blend Cullen expressed how much Bay was able to "bring on positive energy during the filming of the Transformers films."

"I have a great deal of respect for Bay. He generates a great deal of excitement and energy. He's really a hands-on director. My son is a stunt man and worked in Chicago doing a lot of the driving sequences... he said he's a very, very diligent, hands-on guy," Cullen said in the interview.

On the same note, Transformers 4 star Mark Wahlberg has also expressed his non-return in the film's next franchise. He has clearly stated that he "does not prefer acting in sequels, and he would choose stand-alone films instead."

While many were surprised by these news of Transformers departures, many are also excited with surfacing rumors of Megan Fox's return to the franchise. However, there have still been some doubts on the possibility of Fox's return due to her engagements with the recently premiered 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'.

Everything is indefinite yet in terms of final plans and announcements of the cast and crew of Transformers 5, but the movie will certainly continue from where "Age of Extinction" left off.

As a matter of fact, it has already been slotted to hit theaters on summer of 2017.