Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner’s very recent announcement that Transformers 4 was being actively developed came as a shock to… no one, essentially. The “fourquel” has been all but assured ever since the third installment, Dark of the Moon, grossed over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office this past summer.
However, reports are now in that Paramount and Hasbro officials are developing plans to shoot Transformers 4 and Transformers 5 simultaneously – and already have an actor in mind to replace Shia LaBeouf as the human star of the series.
Variety says that the fourth and fifth Transformers movies – which Dark of the Moon scriber Ehren Kruger is said to already have concocted a storyline for – could be filmed back-to-back, as a cost-cutting measure. The site also reports that action maestro Jason Statham is being considered as the potential new lead for the franchise, but that an actual offer has yet to be made.
If this all sounds somewhat familiar, that’s probably because you’re remembering the rumors from a few weeks back – ones claiming that Fast and Furious 6 & 7 could also be filmed simultaneously, with Jason Statham joining their cast(s) in a supporting role.
However, while nothing is set in stone for either high-octane blockbuster franchise, it’s certainly feasible that Statham could ultimately be hired on for both the new Fast and Furious and Transformers movies. The latter project isn’t expected to begin principal photography until either late 2012 or early 2013 – a date that could (theoretically) allow Michael Bay to first direct Pain & Gain, should he decide to reprise his role as the Transformers series’ helmer – so there shouldn’t be too much overlap between the production timelines for either of the aforementioned pairs of sequels.
UPDATE: Here’s the word from Michael Bay himself, with regards to Transformers 4:
I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports. I’m looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options. Most likely going to be doing the low budget Pain and Gain, a true story crime thriller. It’s a very quick shoot and quite funny. Also just finishing the 3 disc set of the Transformer trilogy.
This is all strictly speculation at this point, seeing how Statham has not yet (by all accounts) officially been made an offer to appear in either action movie series – not to mention, it’s not known whether or not he actually wants the job(s). One thing you can count on, though: if Paramount can devise a practical plan for how to shoot the next two Transformers movies at once – an approach guaranteed to be more cost-efficient – the studio definitely will.
One last thing – we’re gong to go out on a limb here and say most fans would consider Statham as the human protagonist in the new Transformers movies a significant “upgrade” from LaBeouf. We could be wrong, though… 
RE-UPDATE: Statham spoke to MTV recently and indicated that he’s not actually been approached to headline any future Transformers movies. In the actor’s own words:
“You know, I don’t know how those things start. You read them. Someone told me about it. [But] the internet is a dangerous place. [laughs] There’s a lot of stuff out there… I’ve got a lot of stuff in front of me, but Michael Bay is a talented man. This last [Transformers movie] just made a billion dollars around the world, so people like his films. He’s a talented man.”
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We will keep you posted on the status of Transformers 4 and 5 as the story develops.
Source: Variety
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I think Jason didn’t read the title very well, it’s Transformers not Transporter.
Shia is a great actor and should not be put out. Transformers 4&5 would be better with him in it because he is the best lead for the movies. He has to many fans to be let down. Yall should know this.To contact me 515-6265.
I want Shia LaBeouf to be in ALL the Transformers movies. They already messed it up taking Megan Fox out of it. Why cant they just stick with one cast for all the movies?
You can’t get rid of Shia. We grew to like him. Taking him a way would ruin the entire franchise.
Any return cast members for 4
Any return cast members for TF 4&5
Yes, Glenn Morshower will return as General Morshower and Peter Cullen(Optimus), Mark Ryan(Jetfire and Bumblebee), Rachael Taylor(Maggie the British girl from TF1), John Turturro(Simmons), and John Voight as the Secretary Of Deffence(TF1) will all be returning for TF4.
Please don’t shia beouf off …he makes the best actor for the job. I’m a huge fan of the transformers…jason stathom can still have a part ….maybe a unlce to shia on the movie…please don’t take him off …and the girl on the third one put her on as his girl friend …..I buy all the copys and watch them over and over again .thank you …..Brenda Jallen. From The Dalles oregon 97058 .541 -993-2140 .
shia labeouf is perfect for the transformers series…dont ruin it by replacing him with some other actor…they really messed up dark of the moon by replacing megan fox!!!
And m a huge fan of shia!!
They have to replace him because Shia says he wont come back for another TF movie.
That very good
If Jason Statham replace Shia LaBeouf,it will be the worst thing that can happen TF 4, and I think all fans will be disappointed. My advice: Shia LaBeouf should remain the main actor!!!
Shia says he is done with TF!
Shia should come back for at least one more. The end of TF3 was a joke. The film as a whole was better than the previous 2, and immediatly after the fight the film just ended. Didn’t feel as if there was any big finale to his character or any characters to be honest. Bring them all back for more, or bring them back for one more and give the characters a proper send off.
I like Shia Labeouf in the movie too, I can’t see anyone else doing it. But I do have one objection, you have girls in there that look like they don’t want to get dirty. I think you need to put a girl in there like Drew Barrymore. She’s the kind of girl that’s not afraid of action or getting down and dirty, or messing up her make-up. If you catch my drift? She’s a pretty girl, and I think she can play the part that would put her more down-to-earth type to pair up with Shia Labeouf. Wouldn’t you agree? Don’t get me wrong, I love Megan Fox better then the other one, but I think Drew Barrymore would get in there and help kick more Butt. The drop dead gorgeous models or women don’t or shouldn’t be in this kind of movie, they look helpless.
you guys are gonna loose lots of hits then when people liked your movie beacause he was in the last three movies people are still gonna wonder and say where is sam thats why and people are gonna say this is lame like what they said about the new girl in transformers but way worse and then your fifth movie will be even worser than the second one.
First of all, your grammer makes me sick, no offence. :/ Just saying, and as much as I agree with you, Shia cant and wont return because he said he is done with Transformers!
pls don’t remove shia labeouf. If jason comes in the whole thing will get ruin. Jason is not the type of guy for this movie. Pls for the sake of God pls let shia continue this amazin movie. Im a big fan of him
Jason Statham as the Lead in Transformers would be a disaster. In a backup role sure but not as lead.
Is RODIMUS PRIME going to be added since the title is “RISE OF GALVATRON”
Dude, the movie will or could be Titled Trans4mers: Carnage. Not Rise Of Galvatron, that is fanmade. But Rodimus, not Rodimus prime, will be or could be in TF4, there can and wont be Unicron in a Live action TF movie because it is impossible.
i watched all three transformers film at least 4 times because of the i could conect with characters. but i will not be watching the forth or any of the others to come because of the change. im sure thats the case with many people
Its not Bays fault, Shia says he is done with TF, so blame him.
i want Shia LaBeouf in all Transformers movies, hes a talented actor.He is the best actor for these movies, and it would be cool to bring back Megan fox.
WHY don’t they just bump Josh Duhamel (Lennox) into the lead role. He’s awesome, plus he already has some history so it’s not like we’re left hanging. He’d be a natural continuance of the story.
Michael Bay, you’re a silly, silly man if you don’t just bump Duhamel up to take over the story. Oh, and enough with the slow motion shots of pretty girls, still amazingly in full make-up and heels, surrounded by disaster. Thank you.
Thats a great idea!!
yea ive been a transfomers fan sense like 1985 if they change the cast it will fail and how is sam go from a fresh out of collage to a tall bald guy in his like late 30s. my son and i watch all three movies about every two weeks and the parts that bug the most is michael bay killing off the main autobots and decips like jazz, magontron, iron hide, jetfire. I bet when Mr.Soto (the creator of transfomers) gave bay the crown of transfomers he didnt think he would start killing them all off.
the heart of Transformers are Shia Lebouf, Josh Duhamel, and Mr. Morshower, the General.
Shea made the movie along with bay the third was a good movie yet the story between fox and shea were the greatest the tf movies will be destroyed like rocky not having shea
i want Megan Fox…back tooo……!!!!
please star Tyresse gibson in T4 and T5…i am a great fan of him
…this is so so sad….first Megan Fox and now Shia LaBeouf….I am not gona watch Transformers anymore….
Well the last t movie wasn’t all that great bc let’s face it no fox lol
Who doesn’t like Transformers. It’s the best action movie!!!!
TRANSFORMERS ARE UNRESISTABLE!!! HAHAHA
hahahahahahahahahahhhhhhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahha
transformers are amamamamamamamazing right comment me back peeps(transformers dudes)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i know right
Omg Cheetah Girl you are amazing and I agree with you.