Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is going to establish 3 new factions, with predacons taking over as the new major antagonists. Originally starting the live-action film franchise in 2007, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay brought Transformers to the world in a brand new way. After proving itself to be a powerhouse performer at the box office, the studio has released multiple sequels and a spin-off/prequel with Bumblebee.
The upcoming entry in the Transformers franchise is being directed by Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II) and stars Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) and Dominique Fishback (Judas and the Black Messiah). The screenplay is written by Joby Harold, who co-wrote Army of the Dead and is a writer on the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series. The title of the seventh movie is a reference to the popular toy line and the cartoon series, Beast Wars: Transformers, which ran from 1996-1999. The franchise has moved into a new era from the Michael Bay entries.
Earlier today, Paramount released an abundance of news for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, including that it will be set in Brooklyn, New York, and Peru in 1994. The seventh Transformers film marks the introduction of the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons. Predacons are reptilian-like, and while they have been teased in previous movies, they are now being given a full back-story and motivations. Having explored the Autobots vs. the Decepticons rivalry for multiple films, the franchise is now branching out from that. Deceptions are still involved, although the Terrorcons are now the primary threat.
With Peter Cullen returning as the voice of Optimus Prime, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has the opportunity to explore another side of the hero before he sought to protect Earth. The timeline allows the story to follow Bumblebee, while still avoiding the Michael Bay movies. Since there are plans to incorporate a generation 1 Optimus Prime into the movie, it is undoubtedly looking to act as an origin story and appeal to longtime fans of the franchise.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a whole new direction for the Transformers film universe. While it did not perform as well at the box office, Bumblebee feels fresh and received the most positive critic reception of any entry in the franchise. Hopefully, the upcoming film manages to bring a better sense of writing that made Bumblebee so enjoyable, as well as the mass appeal of the numerous sequels that Paramount is looking to cash in on. The film is currently set for a June 24, 2022 release date, but stay tuned for more news on what is a new start for the series.
Source: Paramount