When Michael Bay signed on to direct Transformers: Age of Extinction, it wasn't known if this project will be his last in the Transformers franchise, or if he will return for Transformers 5. During a recent interview with USA Today, the filmmaker revealed that he will, "pass the baton for future Transformer movies to a new director," starting with Transformers 5.

Here's what the filmmaker had to say about the "new direction" he wants to take with his career.

"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."

Among the projects he is considering is a passion project of his, a documentary centering on elephant poaching. The filmmaker hasn't announced which directorial project he will take on next, but he also produced upcoming movies such as Ouija and Project Almanac, along current TV shows The Last Ship and Black Sails.

Back in November, Michael Bay hinted that he may be coming back for Transformers 5, but it seems that may now have changed. However, it's worth nothing that he also said Transformers: Dark of the Moon would be his last movie in the franchise, before eventually coming back to make Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura revealed in an interview with Screen Rant back in June that they are trying to keep Michael Bay at the helm for this franchise.

"I think it's one of those classic things where somebody reported that and suddenly it became our plan. We have never discussed the idea of how to hand it off, honestly. It's not like we don't think, well what happens if Michael doesn't do it, of course you do. But we want to keep Michael on this, so we're not spending any time worrying about who could come in. We're trying to figure out how to keep him going and keep him excited."

Paramount Pictures announced back in June that Transformers 5 will be released in 2016, although it isn't clear what cast members will be coming back or who will even direct it at this point.

Are you excited to see a different filmmaker taking the helm for Transformers 5? Or would you like to see Michael Bay return to direct? Chime in with your thoughts below.