Transformers: The Last Knight
Transformers: The Last Knight is a 2017 American science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line. It is the fifth installment of the live-action Transformers film series and the sequel to Age of Extinction (2014). Like its predecessors, the film is directed by Michael Bay and features Mark Wahlberg reprising his role from Age of Extinction, while Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, and Glenn Morshower reprise their roles from the first three films, as well as Laura Haddock, Isabela Moner, Jerrod Carmichael, Santiago Cabrera, and Anthony Hopkins all joining the cast. Returning Transformers include Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, Crosshairs, Wheelie, Megatron, and Barricade.
Transformers: The Last Knight | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Michael Bay |
Screenplay by |
|
Story by |
|
Based on | Transformers by Hasbro |
Produced by |
|
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Jonathan Sela |
Edited by |
|
Music by | Steve Jablonsky |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 149 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $217–260 million[3][4] |
Box office | $605.4 million[4] |
The film premiered at Odeon Leicester Square in London on June 18, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on June 21, 2017, by Paramount Pictures. It received the worst reviews in the Transformers series, with criticism focused on its runtime, screenplay, and frequent aspect ratio changes. At the 38th Golden Raspberry Awards, it was nominated for ten awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Actor for Wahlberg. The film became a box-office bomb grossing $605 million worldwide against a production budget between $217–260 million, with an estimated loss of over $100 million for both Paramount and Hasbro after marketing and distribution costs. A spin-off film titled Bumblebee, with Bay as producer was released on December 21, 2018 to critical and financial success.
Plot
In 484 AD, Merlin finds the Knights of Iacon, a group of Transformers hiding on Earth, seeking their help to aid King Arthur and his knights. They hand him a staff and help Arthur defeat the Saxons, but warn Merlin to hide the staff.
In the present,[N 1] Optimus Prime arrives on the ruins of Cybertron and meets Quintessa[N 2] who brainwashes him and sends him to Earth to retrieve Merlin's staff, to restore the planet by taking Earth's energy.
On Earth, a new task force called the Transformers Reaction Force (TRF) continues to hunt Transformers, while some of its U.S. military personnel, including Colonel William Lennox and General Morshower, are reluctantly against its actions. Cade Yeager, an ally to the Autobots, hides refugee Transformers in his junkyard. In war-torn Chicago, Cade and Bumblebee meet a scavenger Izabella and her companion, Sqweeks, before encountering a dying Transformer who gives them a talisman. The TRF confronts Cade to demand the Autobots' location, only to be stopped by Bumblebee, Lennox, and Hound.
Megatron and the U.S. government learn of the talisman's value and reluctantly join forces to retrieve it and track Bumblebee to Cade's scrapyard. While the Autobots fend off the Decepticons, Grimlock and the Dinobots ambush a TRF convoy while Cade, his assistant Jimmy, Izabella, and Sqweeks deal with a swarm of TRF drones sent after them. Cogman, a human-sized Transformer, appears and invites Cade to the United Kingdom to meet his employer, Sir Edmund Burton, who is connected to the Transformers. Burton asks another Transformer, Hot Rod, to find Viviane Wembly, a University of Oxford professor.
Burton explains to Cade, Viviane, and Bumblebee that Transformers have been living amongst mankind for centuries, their existence once guarded by a secret society called the Order of Witwiccans, of which he is the last living member. The talisman can lead to Merlin's staff, buried in a Cybertronian spacecraft under the sea. Viviane is revealed to be the direct descendant of Merlin's bloodline and the only one who can activate the staff. The local authorities, MI6, and the British TRF discover them, forcing them to flee. Following clues, while evading their pursuers, the group head to the Royal Navy Museum, where they commandeer the submarine HMS Alliance, also a Transformer, to find the spacecraft while the TRF and the U.S. Navy SEALs tail them.
Burton contacts Seymour Simmons, both learning that Earth is Unicron, and the staff will drain the planet's life via an access point under Stonehenge. Locating the ship, Cade and Viviane find Merlin's tomb with Viviane activating Merlin's buried staff, awakening the Knights of Iacon. The TRF and Navy SEALs ambush Cade and Viviane and take the staff, but are forced to surrender it to an arriving Optimus. Bumblebee, Cade, and Lennox engage Optimus, during which Bumblebee speaks in his voice, stirring Optimus's memories and freeing him. The Decepticons ambush Optimus and Cade and steal the staff. The Knights arrive to execute Optimus, but yield to Cade and join the humans and the Autobots upon seeing Cade's talisman turn into Excalibur. Burton tries to stop Megatron from activating the staff at Stonehenge, only to get killed.
As Cybertron's remains ravage Earth, the Autobots, Dragonstorm, and the humans, now working with the reformed TRF, converge on Stonehenge to defeat the Decepticons, Megatron, and Quintessa, while Viviane removes the staff, stopping the transfer. With both worlds saved, the Autobots leave Earth to rebuild Cybertron.
Elsewhere, Quintessa, disguised as a human, approaches a group of scientists inspecting one of Unicron's horns and offers them a way to destroy him.
Cast
Humans
- Mark Wahlberg as Cade Yeager: A single father and inventor who helped the Autobots during the events of Age of Extinction.
- Josh Duhamel as William Lennox: A former NEST commander and U.S. Army Ranger who partnered with the Autobots prior to the events of Dark of the Moon, and now a U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel and reluctant member of the Transformers Reaction Force (TRF).[5]
- Stanley Tucci as Wizard Merlin: A wizard who helped the Guardian Knights. He previously portrayed Joshua Joyce in Age of Extinction.
- Anthony Hopkins as Sir Edmund Burton, 12th Earl of Folgan: An astronomer and historian who knows about the history of the Transformers on Earth.[6][7]
- Laura Haddock as Viviane Wembly: A professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford and a polo player, who turns out to be a descendant of Merlin.[8][9][10] Minti Gorne portrays a younger Viviane.
- Isabela Moner as Izabella: A street-wise tomboy who was orphaned by the Battle of Chicago in Dark of the Moon and now lives in the city ruins with Sqweeks and Canopy, her only friends, until meeting Cade.[11][12]
- Jerrod Carmichael as Jimmy: A young man from South Dakota whom Cade hired through a want ad.[5]
- Santiago Cabrera as Santos: A former Delta Force operative and ruthless commander of the TRF, who seeks to eradicate every Transformer and their human allies regardless of faction. He also tries to capture or kill Cade Yeager as he knows he's working with the Autobots.[13][9][14]
- John Turturro as Seymour Simmons: A former government agent of sector seven and NEST turned successful writer who hides out in Cuba, and was allied with the Autobots prior to the events of Dark of the Moon.[15]
- Glenn Morshower as General Morshower: A former leader of NEST in Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon who now supervises TRF operations.
- Liam Garrigan as King Arthur: The legendary knight who first fought with the Knights of Iacon.[16] Liam Garrigan previously portrayed a version of King Arthur in Once Upon a Time.
Additionally, Mitch Pileggi,[17] Tony Hale, and Gil Birmingham appear as a TRF group leader, an arrogant JPL engineer, and Chief Sherman, respectively. Former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke also stars in the film as an unnamed TRF lieutenant working for Santos, alongside other Navy SEAL veterans who play Navy SEALS in the movie's climax. Nicola Peltz has a vocal cameo as Tessa Yeager, Cade's daughter, who helped the Autobots during the events of Age of Extinction and is seen in a photograph in Cade's trailer,[18] while Shia LaBeouf is seen as Sam Witwicky, who allied with the Autobots in events prior to Age of Extinction, in a photograph spotted in Burton's mansion.[19] Stephen Hogan plays Viviane's father in flashback scenes.
Voices
![](../I/Lamborghini_Centenario_Paris.jpg.webp)
- Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime / Nemesis Prime: The leader of the Autobots, who is searching for the truth about his Creators. In this film, he transforms into a blue and red 2014 Western Star 5700 Custom semi-trailer truck.[20]
- Frank Welker as Megatron: The leader of the Decepticons, who possessed a KSI Drone in Age of Extinction and transforms into a Cybertronian jet.[21][22]
- Gemma Chan as Quintessa: A Cybertronian Sorceress, the "Prime of Life" and the creator of the Cybertronians who wants to destroy Unicron (and Earth) and rebuild Cybertron through whatever way possible. Chan appears on-screen briefly as Quintessa in a disguised human form, at the end of the film.
- Erik Aadahl as Bumblebee / ZB-7: An Autobot scout and Optimus Prime's second-in-command, who transforms into a custom-built yellow and black 2017 Chevrolet Camaro with a body kit.[23][24]
- Jim Carter as Cogman: A polite but sociopathic, human-sized robot. He serves as the faithful butler to Sir Edmund Burton, and while despite not having a larger robot mode, he transforms into an 2017 Aston Martin DB11 in the toyline.[25][26][27]
- Omar Sy as Hot Rod: An Autobot who transforms into a 1975 Citroën DS, before upgrading into a 2017 Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4. He is brother-in-arms with Bumblebee and speaks in a thick French accent which he's ashamed of and wishes to remove.[28][29][30]
- Ken Watanabe as Drift: A Samurai-motif Autobot tactician and former Decepticon who transforms into a black and red 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R.[31]
- John Goodman as Hound: A trigger-happy Autobot commando and field medic who transforms into an olive green Mercedes-Benz Unimog military tactical ambulance.[32]
- John DiMaggio as:
- Crosshairs: A cocky Autobot paratrooper and sniper who transforms into a green and black 2017 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray, equipped with a custom split-spoiler. His ego lends him a misplaced belief in his future command of the Autobots.[33]
- Nitro Zeus: A showboating Decepticon hunter who transforms into a JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet.[34]
- Reno Wilson as:
- Sqweeks: A small Autobot and Izabella's closest friend who can't transform into a blue Vespa Scooter and only says "Chihuahua" due to prior damage.[35]
- Mohawk: A talkative and psychotic Decepticon foot soldier who transforms into a Confederate P51 Combat Fighter Motorcycle.[36]
- Jess Harnell as Barricade: A Decepticon scout who was thought to have been killed in Dark of the Moon. He now transforms into a 2016 Ford Mustang police car, featuring a new, sleeker robot mode.[37]
- Tom Kenny as Wheelie: An Autobot and former Decepticon who survived the Chicago battle in Dark of the Moon who transforms into a remote-controlled monster truck.
- Steve Buscemi as Daytrader: An Autobot scavenger who transforms into a cloaked rusty Mercedes-Benz LK Model 1920 dump truck.[38]
- Steven Barr as Topspin: An Autobot Wrecker who resides in Cuba with Simmons that once transformed into a #48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's/Kobalt car. In the film he is credited as "Volleybot" and grew a metallic beard that resembles his fallen comrade, Leadfoot.
- Mark Ryan as:
- "WWII Tank": An Autobot veteran of World War I and World War II, and a sentry for Burton's castle, who transforms into an army green Mark IV tank and suffers from 'robot dementia',[39]
- "Lieutenant": An elderly Autobot that transforms into a Hawker Hurricane fighter plane that cameos at Burton's castle.
- Various uncredited actors voice:
- The Knights of Iacon: a group of twelve Cybertronian Knights that protects the Staff and merge to form the three-headed dragon, Dragonstorm. They include Dragonicus, Stormreign, Steelbane, and Skullitron.[40]
- Canopy: An Autobot refugee and a friend of Izabella who camouflages into a shielding pile of rubble.[41]
- Berserker: A monstrous Decepticon commando who transforms into a 2017 Chevy Tahoe emergency vehicle.[34]
- Onslaught: A Decepticon tactician who transforms into a green Western Star 4900SF tow truck.[42][34]
Non-speaking characters
- Grimlock
The leader of the Dinobots, who transforms into a mechanical horned, fire-breathing Tyrannosaurus.[9] - Slug
The savage Dinobot destroyer who transforms into a mechanical spiked and bestial Triceratops.[43] - Mini-Dinobots
The Mini versions of Grimlock, Slug, and Strafe.[44] - A Transformer who turns into the submarine HMS Alliance appears, though not seen in robot mode as it can't transform.
- Trench
An Autobot who resembles Constructicon Scrapper and transforms into a Cat 320 excavator. - Dreadbot
A Decepticon thug who transforms into a rusty 1960 Volkswagen Type 2.[45][46] - Infernocons
Quintessa's demonic guardians who combine to form Infernocus.[47] - Unicron
A giant planet-destroying Transformer appearing as Planet Earth and six of his mechanical horns are seen.
Production
Development
![](../I/Michael.bay.png.webp)
In March 2015, Deadline Hollywood reported that Paramount Pictures was in talks with Akiva Goldsman to pitch new ideas for the Transformers franchise's future installments. The studio intends to do what James Cameron and 20th Century Fox have been doing in planning three Avatar sequels, and what Disney has done to revive Star Wars, with sequels and spin-offs. Paramount wants to have their own cinematic universe for Transformers, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Goldsman is the head of the future projects, and worked with franchise director Michael Bay, executive producer Steven Spielberg, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to organize a "writers' room" that incubates ideas for potential Transformers sequels, prequels and spin-offs. The writers' room members include Christina Hodson, Lindsey Beer, Ken Nolan, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Robert Kirkman, Zak Penn, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Jeff Pinkner, and Geneva Robertson-Dworet.[48] Kirkman left the room after just one day to undergo throat surgery.[49] In July 2015, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner were announced as the fifth Transformers film's screenwriters.[50] However, on November 20, due to Goldsman's commitments creating a writers' room for G.I. Joe and Micronauts properties, Paramount began to negotiate with Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, as well as Ken Nolan, to write the film. Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet were also brought aboard for writing duties.[51]
I think I brought the concern to the movie studio and certainly to the writers.
Perhaps...Transformers 5 and 6 movies will go back more to its roots. There was an occasion where one line [in Transformers: Age of Extinction] which Optimus Prime had, I did not want to say. It was my gut instinct and certainly my commitment to the character... not to say the line. But I was told to say. You can't fight the big boys. I think you all know what that line was.
— Peter Cullen on a question from a fan on the future of the franchise from Sac-Anime 2015[52]
After Transformers: Age of Extinction, Bay had decided not to direct any future Transformers films. But in early January 2016, in an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated that he would return to direct the fifth film, and that it would be his last Transformers film.[53] Paramount Pictures spent $80 million on production in Michigan, in return for $21 million in state incentives, under agreements entered into before the state legislature eliminated the film office incentive program in July 2015.[54] In April 2016, Paramount hired cinematographer Jonathan Sela.[55][56] On May 17, Bay revealed the official title of the film to be The Last Knight on his Instagram account, where he also posted a production video showing a close-up of Optimus Prime's face with purple eyes instead of blue, and his face mostly discolored.[57] The official Twitter account showed a 19-second short video in morse code that translates to "I'm coming for you May 31".[58] On May 31, it was revealed that Megatron would return in the sequel.[21]
Casting
In December 2014, Mark Wahlberg confirmed that he would return in the sequel.[59] In February 2016, there were casting calls for new lead and supporting roles in Los Angeles and London, and Peter Cullen was announced as returning to voice Optimus Prime.[60] Approximately 850 cast and crew were hired, 450 of whom were Michigan residents, equating to 228 full-time positions.[61] Additionally, 700 extras were hired from among Detroit residents, as part of Paramount's incentive deal with the state.[62] On April 13, TheWrap reported that Isabela Moner was in talks to star as Izabella.[11] The site also reported that Bay was eyeing Jean Dujardin, Stephen Merchant, and Jerrod Carmichael for supporting roles.[63][64] On May 17, 2016, it was confirmed that Josh Duhamel would reprise his role in the film, and Jerrod Carmichael was cast.[65][5] In June 2016, Anthony Hopkins, Mitch Pileggi, Santiago Cabrera, and Laura Haddock joined the cast, and Tyrese Gibson stated that he will return as Robert Epps.[66][67][17][8][6] In August 2016, Liam Garrigan was confirmed to play King Arthur, a different version from his role as the same character on the television series Once Upon a Time.[16] On September 4, 2016, Stanley Tucci confirmed his return.[68] On October 14, 2016, Bay announced that John Turturro would reprise his role as Seymour Simmons from the first three films, and that John Goodman would return to voice Hound.[15] A month before the film's release, Bay revealed that the character Cogman would be voiced by Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter, at the request of co-writer Matt Holloway, who is a fan of the series.[25] On June 9, 2017, Reno Wilson confirmed he would have a voice role in the film.[69] On June 16, 2017, Gibson revealed that despite closing a deal for the film, he was unable to appear as Epps due to scheduling conflicts with The Fate of the Furious.[70] Longtime Transformers voice actor Frank Welker voices Megatron for the first time in the live-action film series, reprising the role from The Transformers, Transformers Prime and other various media.
Filming
![](../I/Alnwick_Castle_02.jpg.webp)
Principal photography began on May 25, 2016, in Havana, Cuba, with a few scenes shot by a "small team".[71][72][73] Filming continued on June 6, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, and on June 19, 2016, in Detroit, Michigan, under the working title E75,[60][61][74] with additional filming taking place in Chicago, Illinois.[75] In Detroit, filming took place in the Michigan Motion Pictures Studio, Packard Plant, Michigan Central Station, Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy, and MGM Grand Detroit.[76] Production moved to Europe on August 21, and filming commenced on August 22 in Scotland and Wales. In England, filming took place in North Yorkshire, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, London, Gosport and Stonehenge. Between August and October, filming occurred in Northern Ireland, and Preikestolen, Trolltunga and Atlanterhavsveien in Norway.[77][78] The Trinity Library Oxford scene was filmed in the Old Library, Trinity College Dublin.[79]
In early September 2016, filming took place in Alnwick Castle in Alnwick Northumberland in England, including car chase scenes.[80] Production continued at St Aidan's Church, Seahouses, where Walhberg spent an hour inside the church and reportedly donated £200. Rev Father Des McGiven said: "I didn't even know he was in church until he left. One of my parishioners, Danielle Love, recognized him and explained who he was. It's great that we had him in for the service, and we appreciate his generosity towards our church." Car chases were also filmed at the Monument area of Newcastle upon Tyne, where Josh Duhamel was filming, while Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins continued at Alnwick, Seahouses and the Bamburgh Region of Northumberland.[81] In late September 2016, filming was spotted in Gosport, Hampshire at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. On October 5, 2016 filming was spotted at St Bartholomew-the-Great, London. London filming wrapped on October 27, 2016.[82] Principal photography wrapped on December 4, 2016.[83]
Scenes were shot in at least four different aspect ratios, including 1.90:1 (IMAX), 2.00:1 (Univisium), 2.28:1, & 2.39:1 (Panavision). This has been stated by the movie's director of photography, Jonathan Sela, to be due to a large number of different types of cameras on set, including the Red 6K Weapon Dragon, the Alexa IMAX 3-D rig and the IMAX 3-D Phantom 65.
Effects
As with previous Transformers installments, Industrial Light & Magic served as the main visual effects company for Transformers: The Last Knight. In early 2016, the company showed Bay an underwater rendering of a crash-landed alien spaceship and a new dump-truck Transformer with a cloak.[53]
Music
On September 27, it was confirmed that Steve Jablonsky would return to write the score, having composed the music for the first four films. The score was released digitally on the film's original release date, Friday June 23, 2017, and a limited-edition two-disc CD set of 3,000 units will be released by La-La Land Records on July 25, 2017. Unlike the previous films' scores, which contained anywhere from fourteen to twenty-three tracks, the film's soundtrack contains thirty-four tracks, amounting to over two hours of music.
On the score, Jablonsky said, "I met with Michael before he started shooting 'Transformers: The Last Knight.' He showed me some amazing concept art and explained how the story connects the history of Transformers all the way back to the times of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I loved the idea because it gave me the opportunity to explore new musical ideas. The storyline allowed me to write melodies that are a bit more 'classical' than I've written for the other Transformers films, which was a lot of fun for me. Another important aspect of the story revolves around massive skyscraper-sized 'horns from hell' that start emerging from the Earth. They look like gigantic animal horns, but no one knows what they are or why they have appeared. I wanted to create an unsettling sense of mystery and tension with the music."
The film features the song "Torches" by X Ambassadors.[84] Linkin Park with special musical guest Kiiara also contributed to the soundtrack with the hit song "Heavy" and is featured in the end credits of the film. Hatebreed also contributed to the soundtrack with their hit single "Seven Enemies" which was released the same day Transformers: The Last Knight hit theatres and is featured in the end credits. Stone Sour contributed to the soundtrack with their 2006 hit "Hell & Consequences". Killswitch Engage also contributed to the soundtrack with their 2016 song "Hate by Design", as well as their 2006 hit "This is Absolution." Shinedown also contributed to the soundtrack with their 2013 hit "Adrenaline." Metallica contributed to the soundtrack with their 2016 hit "Spit Out the Bone". Slipknot also contributed to the soundtrack with their 2014 hit "The Devil in I", Flotsam and Jetsam contributed to the soundtrack with their hit "Dreams of Death" off their 1988 album "No Place for Disgrace." Limp Bizkit contributed to the soundtrack with their 2003 hit "Eat You Alive." Slayer contributed to the soundtrack with their songs, "Payback" which is featured in the end credits & "Disciple" off of their 2001 album, "God Hates Us All", Five Finger Death Punch contributed to the soundtrack with their hit songs, "Got your Six" and "100 ways to Hate", Halestorm contributed to the soundtrack with their 2015 hit "Mayhem". Tommee Profitt featuring SVRCINA also contributed to the soundtrack with the hit song Tomorrow We Fight. Fozzy contributed to the soundtrack with their hit "Judas" off their 2017 album of the same name. Spineshank contributed to the soundtrack with their 2003 hit Beginning of the End. Seether contributed to the soundtrack with their 2004 hit "Out of my Way". Hollywood Undead contributed to the soundtrack with their 2008 hit "Undead." Pantera contributed to the soundtrack with their 1994 and 1996 songs, "5 Minutes Alone" and "Suicide Note Pt. 2." Primer 55 contributed to the soundtrack with their 2000 hit The Big F*** You which is off their 2000 album Introduction to Mayhem. Flaw (band) contributed to the soundtrack with their 2001 hit Payback, and Get Up Again, & Sevendust also contributed to the soundtrack with their 2011 hit Last Breath off their 2010 album Cold Day Memory.
Controversy
![](../I/Blenheim_Palace_cropped.jpg.webp)
On September 21, 2016, shooting for a particular scene took place in Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire in England, the home of Sir Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World War II. The mansion was dressed as a Nazi swastika-draped headquarters for Adolf Hitler for filming. Tony Hayes of the UK Veterans Association stated that surviving World War II ex-servicemen and women would be "appalled".[85] Churchill's grandson and British Parliament member Sir Nicholas Soames dismissed the controversy entirely, stating, "They've no idea what my grandfather would have thought!"[86] Churchill was buried less than a mile away, at St Martin's Church, Bladon.[87]
Release
Reception
Box office
Transformers: The Last Knight grossed $130.1 million in the United States and Canada and $475.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $605.4 million, against a production budget of $217–260 million.[4][3] The film reportedly lost Paramount over $100 million and was deemed a commercial failure due to competition from Despicable Me 3, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man: Homecoming, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Dunkirk with the latter making the least in worldwide earnings when comparing the five films but Transformers: The Last Knight had the least total in North America.[93][94]
In North America, The Last Knight was originally projected to gross $70–75 million from 4,069 theaters over its first five days, which would have been the lowest debut of the franchise.[95] However, after the film grossed a franchise-low $15.7 million on its first day (including $5.5 million from Tuesday night previews), opening estimates were lowered to $60–65 million. On Thursday, it grossed $8.1 million, potentially dropping the five-day debut to under $60 million.[96] It ended up having an opening weekend of $44.7 million, the lowest debut of the franchise by $25 million (and lowest since the first film's $70.5 million). The film's five-day gross of $68.5 million was also lower than every three-day opening of the previous four films.[97] The film grossed $16.9 million in its second weekend, dropping 62.2% and finishing third at the box office,[98] and $6.4 million in its third, dropping an identical 62.2% and finishing 5th.[99]
Internationally, The Last Knight opened in its first 42 international territories alongside its United States debut, including major markets China, the UK, Russia, Australia, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Hong Kong, and was projected to have an opening of $167–200 million.[100][101] Due to its predecessor's success in China, expectations were high for the film in the country. Box office observers and trackers believed the film would open to $80–100 million,[101] and end its run there with anywhere between $290[102] to $400 million.[103] The film ended up having a global debut of $265.3 million ($196.2 million from other territories), including $123.4 million from China, representing 63% of the film's international opening. In the film's second week in China, it fell 76% and had a running cumulative total of $147.6 million.[97] The film's largest markets outside North America were: China ($228.8 million), South Korea ($19.2 million), Russia ($15.9 million), Germany ($15.4 million), Mexico ($15.3 million), U.K. ($12.2 million), Brazil ($13.7 million), Indonesia ($11.7 million), Japan ($15.7 million) and France ($11 million).[104]
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 16% based on 256 reviews, with an average rating of 3.5/10, giving it the lowest rating of the six films in the Transformers series. The site's critical consensus reads, "Cacophonous, thinly plotted, and boasting state-of-the-art special effects, The Last Knight is pretty much what you'd expect from the fifth installment of the Transformers franchise."[105] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 27 out of 100, based on 47 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[106] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the same score as the second film,[96] while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave a 75% overall positive score and a 55% "definite recommend".[97]
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film a zero-star review (as he did to the previous films), saying "Every time Michael Bay directs another Transformers abomination (this is the fifth), the movies die a little. This one makes the summer's other blockbuster misfires look like masterpieces."[107] Mike Ryan of Uproxx gave the film a negative review, criticizing its running time and incoherent plot, writing: "I have no proof Transformers: The Last Knight will kill your brain cells, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it does and I'd proceed with caution just in case. But I can say with absolute certainty that after watching, your head will hurt."[108] Emily Yoshida of Vulture.com gave the film a negative review but wrote: "I feel slightly worried about how little I hated it." Yoshida thought it was marginally better than the previous film: "The Last Knight remains barely coherent. But it's more fun than "Age of Extinction," though both movies are so drunk on money and effects they accidentally go weird." Yoshida grudgingly praised the "visual and sonic imagination" shown by the filmmakers.[109] Alonso Duralde of TheWrap was also critical of the film's sloppiness, saying, "...fear not, fans of the franchise: if you're here for the director's trademark chaos editing (where fights go from points A to D to Q), comedy scenes rendered tragic (and vice versa), and general full-volume confusion, you'll get all those things in abundance."[110]
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave it 1 out of 5, complained about the long runtime, and suggested the film was "competing with Marvel movies for spectacle" but without the "wit and fun".[111] Christopher Orr of The Atlantic criticized the film for attempting to connect the Transformers to Stonehenge and World War II, and called it the worst retelling of Arthurian legend of the year, even worse than Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.[112] Rebecca Farley of Refinery29 and Dana Schwartz of Marie Claire were critical of the underdeveloped female characters. Farley noted the marketing made Moner appear to have a prominent role in the film, when she does not. Farley also labeled Haddock's character the film's "textbook Strong Woman" cliché. Schwartz criticizes Wahlberg's character for referring to Moner's as "Little J. Lo" because of her Latina heritage, and Haddock being portrayed as the "British Megan Fox". Schwartz also criticized the film for the frequent aspect ratio changes, and the runtime being too long.[113][114] Ian Freer of Empire magazine rated the film 2 out of 5 stars. Freer said that like the previous films it "is bogged down in backstory, lacks a real feel for its characters and still can’t find a way to make its robot-on-robot action exhilarating... It is amazing how a series with so much nostalgic goodwill, technical finesse and behind the scenes talent have led so often to experiences that are so joyless."[115]
Variety's Owen Gleiberman gave the film a mixed review stating, "The fifth time may not quite be the charm, but the latest entry in Michael Bay's crunched-metal robot-war mega-series is badder, and therefore better."[116] Richard Brody of The New Yorker acknowledged the film's flaws but noted there was almost something impressive about them, saying: "The absolute tastelessness of Bay's images, their stultifying service to platitudes and to merchandise, doesn't at all diminish their wildly imaginative power."[117] Robbie Collin of The Telegraph wrote "If you're not staggered by the technique on display here – the stuff that sets Bay's work miles above the Fast & Furiouses, X-Men: Apocalypses and Tom Cruise-chasing Mummies of this world – you're not paying attention" and called it "a cinematic experience of earth-shattering preposterousness".[118] Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "Bay's visual sensibility has, if anything, matured, to the point of demanding and earning your exasperated surrender."[119] Joshua Rothkopf of Time Out New York gave it 3 out of 5, calling it "Clangorous and nonsensical" but "Regardless of our opinions, we all know what a Michael Bay film is. This one's his most Baysome."[120]
Accolades
Transformers: The Last Knight led the 38th Golden Raspberry Awards season with 10 nominations (including The Razzie Nominee So Rotten You Loved It, Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screen Combo, and Worst Screenplay) but did not win in any category, setting the record for most Razzie nominations without a win.[121]
Sequels
Possible sequel
Akiva Goldsman was tasked with developing a multi-part sequel storyline, along with prequels and spin-off films. A "brain-trust" was commissioned to guide the productions of these stories, including Goldsman, Michael Bay, and producers Steven Spielberg and Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The team of writers who were hired included: Robert Kirkman, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Zak Penn, Jeff Pinkner, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, Christina Hodson, Lindsey Beer, Ken Nolan, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and Steven DeKnight. Goldsman described the writer's room collaboration process, as a way to map out stories that can be further developed by the projects that are green-lit by the brain trust; stating: "...if one of the writers discovers an affinity for [a particular story], they can drive forward on treatments that will have been fleshed out by the whole room."[122][123] Barrer and Ferrari were hired and assigned to co-write a film that would explore the origins of Cybertron, with a working title of Transformers One.[124]
Before the release of The Last Knight, Michael Bay said it would be his last film as director in the franchise but expressed interest in remaining as a producer should they wish to continue the series with another director. Bay confirmed in April 2017 that out of the writers room, at least 14 stories had been completed for potential future Transformers films. Following The Last Knight's' negative reception and disappointing box office performance, the future of the series was uncertain. By August 2017, Akiva Goldsman revealed he was no longer leading the writers room, and had left the franchise.[125][126] In February 2018, the film was removed from the studio's release schedule.[127] In March 2019, di Bonaventura announced that sequels to both the solo film and The Last Knight were in development: "One is the latest in the main family series following Transformers: The Last Knight and the other is a sequel to Bumblebee".[128][129] The producer later said that the follow-up to The Last Knight would not be a direct-sequel, even though chances for it to take place after that could still happen.[130] In May 2020, Paramount scheduled a release date of June 24, 2022 for the next live-action Transformers film,[131] which was later revealed to be the sequel to Bumblebee.[132] In an interview in September 2021, when asked about the possibility of a film at the least taking place after “The Last Knight”, Josh Duhamel had expressed interest in reprising his role as Colonel William Lennox.
Bumblebee (2018)
Bumblebee, starring Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena, was released on December 21, 2018 to a successful critical and financial reception.[133]
In December 2018, producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura announced that there will be further films in the series following the release of Bumblebee, acknowledging that the franchise will make some changes in their tone and style after the success of Bumblebee.[134]
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
A sequel to Bumblebee titled Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, is scheduled to be released on June 9, 2023.[135]
By January 2020, a follow up to Bumblebee, and an adaptation of Transformers: Beast Wars was in development, written separately by Joby Harold and James Vanderbilt, respectively.[131][136] The title Transformers: Rise of the Beasts was announced, and it was revealed that the story would include parts of both storylines.
Notes
- One year after the Hong Kong incident, as depicted in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).
- Quintessa sent the mercenary Lockdown to bring Optimus to her, in Transformers: Age of Extinction.
References
- "Transformers The Last Knight Worldwide Premiere is 18 June in Leicester Square, London, UK". TFW 2005. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight [2D]". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
149m 0s
- "2017 Feature Film Study" (PDF). FilmL.A. Feature Film Study: 25. August 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- Watts, Steve (May 17, 2016). "JOSH DUHAMEL BACK FOR TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT". IGN. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- Galuppo, Mia (June 3, 2016). "Anthony Hopkins Joins 'Transformers 5'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- DiLeo, Adam (December 6, 2016). "The Future of the Transformers Cinematic Universe".
- Laura J. Haddock on Twitter: "VERY EXCITED to tell you guys..... #transformers". Twitter. June 20, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- "'Transformers: The Last Knight': 45 Things to Know about the Sequel". Collider. December 5, 2016.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight Viviane Wembly Profile — Transformers News — TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- Sneider, Jeff (April 13, 2016). "'Transformers 5' Eyes Nickelodeon Star Isabela Moner for Lead Role (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- "Closer Look At Transformers: The Last Knight Squeeks – Transformer World 2005". TFW2005.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- "Santiago Cabrera keeping up with Navy Seals Transformers 5". SantiagoCabrera.net. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight — Agent Santos Profile Online — Transformers News — TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. May 24, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- Optimus, Silver (October 14, 2016). "Michael Bay Confirms John Turturro For TF5. Teaser Trailer In November/December?". TFW2005. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- Sneider, Jeff (August 29, 2016). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' finds its King Arthur (Exclusive)". Mashable. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- "Mitch Pileggi on Twitter: "Had the extreme pleasure of working on the new Transformers movie with @michaelbay. It's fascinating watching this cat work."" (Twitter post). June 16, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- Transformers 5 "Tessa" Trailer (2017) The Last Knight Movie HD – via YouTube.
- "More New Transformers: The Last Knight TV Spots Reveal a Returning Character - Transformers News - TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 9, 2017.
- "Western Star 5700EX stars in next Transformers film". TruckersNews. August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- "First Look At Transformers 5 Megatron". TFW2005. May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- "Toy Fair 2017 Transformers The Last Knight Premier Series Official Images". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. February 18, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
- transformersmovie (June 4, 2016). "Instagram photo by Transformers". Archived from the original on December 23, 2021 – via Instagram.
Bee is back. @generalmotors really got it done with this custom-built 2016 Camaro. 🐝 #transformers
- "Mark Ryan Return To Voice In Transformers The Last Knight". TFW2005. August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- Green, Willow (May 15, 2017). "Exclusive, Explosive New Look At Bumblebee In Transformers: The Last Knight". Empire (film magazine).
- Silver, Optimus (September 10, 2016). "Even More Images From The London Set Of Transformers: The Last Knight". TFW2005. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- "Even More New TLK Toy Reveals — Hot Rod, Cogman and More! - Transformers News — TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- Bacala, Tony (August 3, 2016). "Hot Rod Coming to Transformers The Last Knight". TFW2005. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight Plot Roundup". December 6, 2016.
- Prowl4, Kurona (June 17, 2017). "Omar Sy to voice Hot Rod in Transformers: The Last Knight". Seibertron. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
- @michaelbay (July 1, 2016). "The samurai returns thanks to @MercedesAMG GT R. Looking good, Drift. #transformers @MercedesBenz" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Transformers 5: The Last Knight – Hound Revealed". TFW2005. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- Optimus, Silver (June 22, 2016). "Transformers: The Last Knight Plot Leak – Squeaks And Crosshairs Confirmed – Transformer World 2005". TFW2005. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- "TRF Dossiers Collected! Profiles On Nitro Zeus, Megatron, Barricade, Berserker, Onslaught, Mohawk, & Dreadbot". June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- Optimus, Silver (June 24, 2016). "Hasbro Files For Transformers: The Last Knight Autobot Sqweeks Toy Trademark – Transformer World 2005". TFW2005. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- Optimus, Silver (June 6, 2016). "New Vehicles Spotted On The Set Of Transformers: The Last Knight — Transformers News — TFW2005". News.tfw2005.com. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- "Transformers 5: Barricade Vehicle Mode Revealed". TFW2005. June 10, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- lászlo vén (June 8, 2017). Transformers 5 - "Wreck-Gar" TV Spot – via YouTube.
- Ancient Robot (May 8, 2017). Transformers 5 : The Last Knight Hot Rod and Bulldog Revealed – via YouTube.
- "Transformers Movie Toys Revealed — Cybertron (Planet), Leader Dragonstorm, Voyager Nitro and More! - Transformers News — TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight KCA 2017 Trailer Now Online — Transformers News — TFW2005". March 11, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight – Decepticon Onslaught Revealed". TFW2005. July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight - Updated KCA Trailer Featuring Drift, Stafe And Slug - Transformers News - TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 8, 2017.
- Optimus, Silver (September 23, 2016). "Mark Wahlberg Confirms Mini-Dinobots For Transformers: The Last Knight — Transformers News — TFW2005". News.tfw2005.com. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- Optimus, Silver (June 13, 2016). "More New Images Of Transformers 5 Principal Photography In Arizona". TFW2005. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- "Transformers Reaction Force (TRF) Case File – Dreadbot". TFW2005. June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
- "In-Package Image Of Transformers: The Last Knight Mission To Cybertron Infernocus - Transformers News - TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 8, 2017.
- Mike Fleming Jr (March 27, 2015). "Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- Keene, Allison (March 13, 2016). "Robert Kirkman Reveals He Was Only in the 'Transformers' Writers Room for One Day". Collider. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- Goldman, Eric (July 28, 2015). "Daredevil's Steven DeKnight on the Transformers Writers Room and Planning Ahead". IGN.
- "Akiva Goldsman 'Transformers' Writers Room Leads Paramount & Hasbro To Set One For 'G.I. Joe,' 'Micronauts'". Deadline Hollywood. November 20, 2015.
- Optimus, Silver (January 10, 2015). "Peter Cullen Says Transformers 5 & 6 Might Be Less Dark". TFW2005. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- Eells, Josh (January 4, 2016). "13 Hours': Can Michael Bay Pull Off a Gritty Movie About Benghazi?". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- Tribune news services (February 26, 2016). "'Transformers 5' receives $21 million incentive to shoot in Detroit". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- Optimus, Silver (April 7, 2016). "Cinematographer Jonathan Sela Joins Transformers 5". TFW2005. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- Caranicas, Peter (April 6, 2016). "Agencies Book Artisans on 'Fast 8,' 'Transformers 5,' 'To the Bone,' 'MacGyver' and 'Altered Carbon'". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- "'Transformers 5': Director Michael Bay Reveals Sequel's Official Title". Yahoo! Movies. May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- "#TRANSFORMERS on Twitter: "Something wicked this way comes. #transformers"". Twitter. May 27, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- Zalben, Alex (December 18, 2014). "Mark Wahlberg Just Found A 'Transformers' Sequel". MTV. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- "Transformers 5 Casting Call Details Revealed". tfw2005.com. February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- McNary, Dave (February 26, 2016). "'Transformers 5' Receives $21 Million Incentive to Shoot in Detroit". Variety. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- "'Transformers 5' To Bring Hundreds Of Jobs, $80M To Metro Detroit". February 26, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- Sneider, Jeff (April 13, 2016). "'Transformers 5' Eyes Nickelodeon Star Isabela Moner for Lead Role (Exclusive)". The Wrap.
- Sneider, Jeff (April 21, 2016). "Jerrod Carmichael in Talks to Join Mark Wahlberg in 'Transformers 5'". TheWrap.
- Galuppo, Mia (May 17, 2016). "Josh Duhamel to Return to the 'Transformers' Universe". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- "Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- Willis, Jackie (June 27, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Tyrese Gibson Confirms He's Shooting 'Transformers 5,' Says He Feels Paul Walker's 'Energy' on 'Fast 8' Set". Entertainment Tonight.
- Keslassy, Elsa (September 4, 2016). "Stanley Tucci to Reprise 'Transformers' Role in 'The Last Knight'". Variety. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "Reno Wilson Joins Transformers The Last Knight - Transformers News - TFW2005". Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM. June 10, 2017.
- Dosani, Rishma (June 19, 2017). "Tyrese Gibson exclusively admits he was 'p****d' to miss out on filming Transformers: The Last Knight alongside original co-star Josh Duhamel". OK!. Northern & Shell. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- Perry, Spencer (May 25, 2016). "Filming in Cuba Starts for Transformers: The Last Knight". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- Schaefer, Sandy (May 18, 2016). "Transformers: The Last Knight Begins Filming in Cuba This Week". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
- France-Presse, Agence (May 20, 2016). "'Transformers 5' to film in Cuba". Rappler. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- Walker, Alice (February 21, 2016). "Transformers 5 To Film in London & Detroit; Casting Begins". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- "Transformers 5 casting calls for new lead roles". Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- Christine (May 6, 2016). "Check out where 'Transformers 5' will be filming in Detroit this summer". On Location Vacations. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
- "Transformers The Last Knight filming moves to Europe in Scotland". tfw2005.com. August 21, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- "TransformersNorway". nrk.no. October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight at The Old Library at Trinity College -The Long Room - filming location". Sceen-it.com.
- Walker, Danny; White, Tom (September 15, 2016). "Mark Wahlberg and Transformers 5: The Last Knight stars descend on British castle as production heats up for blockbuster". The Mirror. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- Walker, Danny; White, Tom (September 18, 2016). "Transformers 5: The Last Knight filming continues with dramatic explosions, car chases and a first look at Bumblebee". The Mirror. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- UKParamountPictures (October 24, 2016). Transformers — The Last Night — Paramount Pictures UK – via YouTube.
- Bacle, Ariana (December 4, 2016). "Transformers: The Last Knight teases new trailer in behind-the-scenes clip". Entertainment Weekly.
- "Hear an Exclusive Track from the 'Transformers: The Last Knight' score". Entertainment Weekly. June 21, 2017.
- Shoard, Catherine (September 23, 2016). "Anger as Churchill's home turned into Hitler HQ for Transformers 5". The Guardian. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- "Churchill's grandson: Transformers 5 fallout is 'dismal, idiotic, preposterous' | Film | The Guardian". TheGuardian.com. June 26, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- Couch, Aaron (September 23, 2016). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' Under Fire for Flying Nazi Flags at Winston Churchill's Birthplace". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 12, 2016). "Paramount Dates A Trio Of 'Transformers' Sequels; Collides With 'Wonder Woman', 'Godzilla 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- Siegel, Tatiana (February 16, 2016). "'Transformers 6' Will Be a Lower-Cost 'Bumblebee' Spinoff". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 5, 2017). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' To Gallop Out Two Days Earlier In June". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- "Week of September 26 Blu-ray, Digital and DVD Releases". ComingSoon.net. September 29, 2017.
- Rawden, Jessica (December 18, 2018). "New DVD Releases: When To Buy The Latest Movies And TV Shows In December 2018". CINEMABLEND.
- "Viacom CEO Says He's Mulling Small Acquisition Targets". The Hollywood Reporter. January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
Bakish congratulated Paramount for a successful turnaround, using the latest in the Transformers franchise as an example: Bumblebee, he said, is "solidly profitable" while its predecessor in the summer of 2017 lost more than $100 million
- Scott, Ryan (January 11, 2019). "Bumblebee May Turn a Profit, But Transformers 5 Lost Over $100M". Movieweb.com. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- "'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Hoping To Catch Opening In The $100M Vicinity". Deadline Hollywood. June 15, 2017.
- Anthony D'Alessandro (June 22, 2017). "Transformers: The Last Knight Running Out Of Gas With $15M Opening Day; 5-Day Outlook Now At $63M-$65M". Deadline Hollywood.
- Anthony D'Alessandro (June 25, 2017). "Why 'Transformers' Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; 'Wonder Woman' & 'Cars 3' Fight Over 2nd Place". Deadline Hollywood.
- Pandya, Gitesh (July 2, 2017). "Box Office: Despicable Me 3 Wins the Weekend". Rotten Tomatoes.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 10, 2017). "'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Still Swinging In As Sony's Second Best Domestic Opening Ever With $116M-$118M". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017.
- "Box-Office Preview: 'Transformers 5' Looks for Biggest Bang Overseas". The Hollywood Reporter. June 20, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight' Stateside Rust To Be Buffed By China & Overseas Results – Global B.O. Preview". Deadline Hollywood. June 20, 2017.
- Frater, Patrick (June 14, 2017). "China's Weying Boards Paramount's 'Transformers: The Last Knight'". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- Cain, Rob (June 12, 2017). "'Transformers' Gears Up For Another $1 Billion Box Office Bounty". Forbes. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight – Foreign". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- "Transformers: The Last Knight". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- Travers, Peter (June 21, 2017). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' Review: Meet 2017's Most Toxic Movie". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- "'Transformers: The Last Knight' Might Make Humanity Just A Little Dumber". Uproxx. June 20, 2017.
- Yoshida, Emily (June 23, 2017). "Review: Transformers: The Last Knight Is Utterly Ridiculous, and Knows It". Vulture. New York.
- Duralde, Alonso (June 20, 2017). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' Review: Michael Bay's Latest Hot Mess Is Only Slightly Less Messy". TheWrap.
- Bradshaw, Peter (June 20, 2017). "Transformers: The Last Knight review – as tinnitus-inducingly pointless as ever". The Guardian.
- Orr, Christopher (June 21, 2017). "'Transformers: The Last Knight' Is a Ludicrous Mess". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Farley, Rebecca (June 21, 2017). "Wait, Is The New "Transformers" Movie Feminist?". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- Schwartz, Dana (June 28, 2017). "There Has Never Been a Worse Movie Than 'Transformers: The Last Knight'". Marie Claire. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- Freer, Ian (June 20, 2017). "Transformers: The Last Knight". Empire. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
- Gleiberman, Owen (June 20, 2017). "Film Review: 'Transformers: The Last Knight'". Variety.
- Brody, Richard (June 20, 2017). "With 'Transformers: The Last Knight,' Michael Bay Has Become an Experimental Filmmaker of Pure Sensation". The New Yorker.
- Collin, Robbie (June 20, 2017). "Transformers: The Last Knight review: a cinematic experience of earth-shattering preposterousness". The Telegraph.
- Justin Chang (June 20, 2017). "Review: The surprisingly bearable 'Transformers: The Last Knight' displays Michael Bay's genius for imbecility". Los Angeles Times.
- Rothkopf, Joshua (June 26, 2017). "Transformers: The Last Knight". Time Out New York.
- Perez, Lexy (March 3, 2018). "Razzie Awards: 'Emoji Movie' Named Worst Picture of the Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 25, 2015). "Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- "Marvel's Steven S. DeKnight Joins Robert Kirman in Transformers Writers Room". SyFy Wire. June 9, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 27, 2015). "'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room: Cybertron Pic In Offing?". Deadline. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- Topel, Fred (August 2, 2017). "Akiva Goldsman No Longer Involved in Transformers". SlashFilm.
- Fred Topel (July 24, 2017). "Franchise Fred News: Akiva Goldsman's Transformers Writers Room Is Closed". We Live Entertainment.
- Foutch, Haleigh (May 23, 2018). "Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule". Collider.
- "Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development". Seibertron. March 14, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- Yates, David (March 17, 2019). "Transformers: The Last Knight Sequel Is Still Being Planned". Movieweb. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- Topel, Fred (April 4, 2019). "'Pet Sematary' Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura on Making Big Changes to Stephen King's Book and the Current Status of 'Snake Eyes,' 'McClane,' and 'Transformers' [Interview]". Slashfilm.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020). "Paramount Dates New 'Transformers' Movie For 2022". Deadline Hollywood.
- Kroll, Justin (November 16, 2020). "'Transformers': 'Creed 2' Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- "Looks Like Bumblebee Is Officially The Start of a New Transformers Movie Universe". CinemaBlend. February 17, 2019. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- Topel, Fred (December 10, 2018). "The Next 'Transformers' Movie Won't Be a Reboot, But It Will Be "Different" [Exclusive]". SlashFilm.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2021). "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Pushed A Year; New 'Star Trek' Movie To Beam Up Over Christmas 2023". Deadline. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- Kroll, Justin (January 27, 2020). "'Transformers' Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works". Variety.
External links
![](../I/Commons-logo.svg.png.webp)