The robots are getting some familiar help. Paramount has put Steven Spielberg in charge of the creative side of its next live-action Transformers movie, Deadline and Variety reported Tuesday.

Spielberg has been an executive producer on the films since the first one in 2007. Now he will oversee all creative parts of the eighth live-action film, working with longtime producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. He had a similar hands-on role on the first two movies.

The big question is who will direct. Deadline reported that Michael Bay, who directed the first five films, is in early talks to come back. Deadline said Bay read the script and met with Spielberg earlier this week. Variety, however, said no director has been named and that Bay's role is still unknown.

The script is by Jason Fuchs. The story is set in modern times, but other plot details are being kept secret. Variety reported that Shia LaBeouf, star of the early films, will not return. Casting talks are in early stages.

The Transformers films, based on Hasbro's toys, have earned more than $5.4 billion at the global box office. Bay stepped away after 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight. The later films, Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts, did not match earlier hits, Deadline said.

The goal is a tone closer to the early movies, both outlets reported. Variety said Paramount's planned Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover is no longer moving forward. Instead, the studio is building a new G.I. Joe film with Danny McBride.

The news came on the same day Paramount finished its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

What we know: Spielberg is leading the creative work, and Jason Fuchs wrote the script.
What we don't: Whether Bay signs on to direct, and when the film will be released.