Last we heard from the Transformers franchise, Paramount was blazing ahead with a plan to turn the Transformers series into a full-fledged cinematic universe. Now, however, the latest rumors say something very different- that Paramount is putting their Transformers plans to a stop until they can woo Michael Bay back into the fold.

According to these rumors, Michael Bay's departure from the Transformers franchise isn't as official as he's made it sound in the past, and there's a slight chance he may return to direct the upcoming Transformers 5. The rumors state that Paramount is trying to get Bay back to direct the fifth film, because they're afraid of jeopardizing the formula that Bay has created with the films, and which has so consistently brought in billions of dollars at the box office.

The rumors go on from there, claiming that if Paramount can succeed in getting Bay back for Transformers 5, then Jonathan Liebesman (who directed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles last summer, and is rumored to be up for the Transformers 5 directing gig) would be given one of the Transformers universe spin-off films instead.

We know very little about Transformers 5 officially, but the film is set for a release in 2017 and is rumored to star either Mark Wahlberg (who led Transformers: Age of Extinction) or Shia LaBeouf, who played Sam Witwicky in the first three Transformers films. One source claims both actors may return in separate spin-off films, and may cross paths in a later film. Megan Fox, as well, may return to the series if Bay was to return.

However, all of this may rely on Bay's return, considering that Wahlberg, LaBeouf and Fox were directed by him in past Transformers films and may only return if Bay returns as well. Expect Transformers 5 to premiere in theaters sometime in summer 2017.