‘Transformers’ spinoffs likely

Due in June, the fifth “Transformers” movie is subtitled “The Last Knight,” but it’s far from the last entry in the lucrative franchise.

In fact, according to Michael Bay, it could be just the beginning.

In a recent interview with MTV, the “Last Knight” director revealed that there have been 14 separate stories written for potential movies.

The glut of ideas is a result of the Marvel-inspired writers room assembled by Hasbro and Paramount Pictures in 2015 to develop ideas for future installments and spinoffs.

The “Transformers” films, based on the 1980s animated series, have so far grossed nearly $4 billion worldwide and have transformed toy company Hasbro into a powerful Hollywood entity. (It also owns the rights to “G.I. Joe,” “My Little Pony,” and “Micronauts.”

“Transformers: The Last Knight” arrives June 23.

— Dave Lewis

Pepsi apologizes for its Jenner ad

Less than a day after defending its new ad campaign as “a moment of unity,” Pepsi has pulled its “Live for Now” commercial and released an official statement Wednesday.

“Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize,” the statement read. “We did not intend to make light of any

serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Ken-dall Jenner in this position.”

The ad in question ignited a firestorm when it was released Tuesday. The commercial featured Jenner walking out of a photo shoot to join a nearby demonstration rife with imagery lifted from the Black Lives Matter movement, before calming the unrest with a can of Pepsi.

— Libby Hill

Marvel moving into TV comedy

Freeform now has two Marvel shows in the works, according to Wednesday’s announcement that “Marvel’s New Warriors,” a live-action adaptation of the eponymously titled comic, is headed to the channel formerly known as ABC Family.

“New Warriors” centers on six young people struggling to make a difference and to learn how to harness their powers, making it an appropriate fit for Freeform’s mission to deliver quality content to young adults.

Though the complete cast of characters has yet to be announced, the project will prominently feature comic fan favorite Squirrel Girl, whom several actresses have lobbied to play.

“ ‘Marvel’s New Warriors’ have always been fan favorites, and now, particularly with the addition of Squirrel Girl, they are Marvel Television favorites as well,” said Marvel’s head of television, Jeph Loeb. “After the amazing experience we’ve had with Freeform on ‘Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger,’ we can’t think of a better place for our young heroes.”

“Cloak & Dagger,” the tale of an interracial teenage couple who fall in love while acquiring superpowers, is scheduled for release in 2018.

“New Warriors,” Marvel’s first venture into TV comedy, is scheduled for release in 2018.

— Libby Hill