Paramount Pictures will not move forward with a sequel to Transformers One, the 2024 animated reboot of the Transformers franchise. Director Josh Cooley confirmed the news during a panel at Bot Con 2025 in Wayne, Indiana, disappointing fans who hoped for a continuation of the story.
The film, which explored the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron, was initially planned as the start of a new trilogy. Despite positive reviews and strong fan support, its box office performance led Paramount to abandon sequel plans.
Transformers One earned $129.4 million worldwide against a $75 million budget. While not a financial disaster, the returns were not enough to justify further investment. Hasbro, the toy company behind Transformers, also announced it would no longer co-finance theatrical films based on its brands, adding to the challenges.
Josh Cooley expressed his disappointment during the Bot Con panel:
“I wish I had something to announce, but I do not. What I’ve been told is that Paramount Animation is not interested in making a sequel. That’s what I was told. I wish we could. I have ideas, too. So it would have been cool… We’ll see what happens. You never know.”
The film featured a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, and Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee. Critics praised the movie, giving it an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences rated it even higher at 97%.
However, poor marketing and competition from other films contributed to its underwhelming box office. Some fans felt the trailers misrepresented the movie as a lighthearted comedy rather than a serious origin story.
The decision marks another setback for the Transformers franchise, which has struggled to regain its box office dominance since the Michael Bay era. Paramount is now reevaluating its approach, with a live-action G.I. Joe crossover still in development but facing uncertainty.
Fan reactions at Bot Con and online were mixed. Some expressed frustration over the missed potential, while others appreciated that Transformers One worked well as a standalone film.
“Sucks, but sadly not shocking. The film was awesome, but it bombed hard. Blame bad marketing and prior movies ruining interest in the franchise.” – Spider5800, Seibertron forums
“The franchise needs a break because the mainstream audience isn’t interested anymore.” – Blastback, Seibertron forums
With no sequel in sight, Transformers One remains available for streaming on Paramount+, Apple TV, and Prime Video. The film’s fate highlights the challenges of reviving a long-running franchise in a crowded entertainment market.
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