Is there no end to Michael Bay’s ego? According to reports, Michael Bay opted to return for Transformers 3 because he wanted to save jobs in the film industry, believing his movie would make the difference in the midst of recession.

Initially when asked about Transformers 3, Michael Bay said he didn’t want to think about it and wanted to work on a smaller film first, to get a break from giant robots. However, Paramount had other ideas and while Bay was working the PR circuit for Revenge of the Fallen, they announced the release date for Transformers 3 as being June 1st 2011.

Despite being angered by this, Bay has still agreed to work on Transformers 3 because he wants to save jobs – at least according to an interview he gave to Starz.

Michael Bay commented:

The true story is we went to Vegas to celebrate [Revenge of the Fallen] crossing the $400 million mark domestic. I said, “I’m excited to do my small little movie.” They said, “Well, we’re here to talk about that.” I’ve become friends with these guys that run Paramount and they [told me,] “We’re going to get fired if we don’t have a 2011 franchise,” so I’m like you can’t let these guys down.

The economy’s been so rough, it’s kind of important. When you say yes to [a] movie like this you automatically give 3000 people jobs. 1000 for the toys. 2000 for the filmmaking. I’m going to put [the small film] on hold and do it right after [Transformers 3].

Seems Bay’s making Transformers 3 to save the jobs of those he cares most about – nothing to do with the huge pay check he will have received from ROTF as it surpassed the money made by the first Transformers.