Since the new film takes place more than a decade before Bay's first film, it should have the freedom to avoid directly connecting itself to what he established.
This gave the studio confidence to continue the franchise forward, although the direction of the series wasn't definitive.
In order to shake up an increasingly tired Transformers formula in the same way Bumblebee managed to do, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts needs to shed the Decepticons at long last - with the introduction of the Terrorcons suggesting Capale Jr.
Bay then made sequels Revenge of the Fallen 2009 and Dark of the Moon 2011.
Rhinox, Araizor and Optimus Primal, who is voiced by Ron Perlman will comprise the new beastly team of Transformers.
Related: Despite no direct sequel to Bumblebee being announced, its success made it only natural that future Transformers films would attempt to emulate it.