Most filmmakers would clamor for advice from legendary director Steven Spielberg, but Spielberg’s thoughts on Michael Bay’s “Transformers” films are less “profound and whimsical” and more “blunt and unintentionally funny.” Spielberg’s advice to the younger director may have changed Bay’s career forever.

In an interview, Bay said that Spielberg told him to quit “Transformers”: “Just stop at three [films].” Bay explained that he said he would stop, but “The studio begged me to do a fourth, and then that made a billion too. And then I said I'm gonna stop here. And they begged me again. I should have stopped. They were fun to do."

Bay may feel like he made too many “Transformers” movies — and some Hollywood buffs would agree — but the franchise made him the powerhouse director he is today, grossing $4.5 billion total over six installments. Interestingly, Spielberg changed his tune on the films in a 2011 interview.

When Spielberg was asked if he thought there would be more “Transformers” movies, he said, “I hope so [...] [Bay has] invented a genre, and he's got the secret formula.” Love them or hate them, the Autobots made Michael Bay a star, and even earned him praise from the man who told him to stop at three films.