Mark Wahlberg in ‘Transformers 4’

MANILA, Philippines – Transformers director Michael Bay has cast Mark Wahlberg in the next film, the 4th installment in the Transformers movies, according to Total Film in a post dated November 9.

A story posted in the same website on November 8 says that last October, message boards were teeming with talk of Wahlberg being part of the next Transformers movie.

Bay reportedly immediately dismissed it.

That is, until he posted this on his blog last October 31:

“I squashed a rumor that was on the internet last week.

It was about Mark Walhberg. Mark was rumored to be staring (sic) in Transformers 4.

We are working on another movie together, not T4. I had such a great time working with Mark on Pain and Gain, and he gave such a great performance – well let’s say that very internet chatter gave me some ideas.

We are at the inception of our story process right now on T4.

Let’s say some ideas are gaining traction with me and my writer – so I’m here to say thanks internet chatter.

Michael”

By November 9, Bay reportedly said in an official statement: 

“Mark is awesome. We had a blast working on Pain And Gain and I’m so fired up to be back working with him.

An actor of his calibre is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers legacy.”

This means that Wahlberg will be part of team Autobots in the yet untitled Transformers sequel set for release on June 27, 2014.

He replaces Shia Lebouf in the title role, according to webite Opposing Views.

The news may come as bittersweet to Shia fans. The actor had not been expected to reprise his role after the 3rd movie, when he reportedly told The Hollywood Reporter in August that studios “stick a finger up your ass.”

How do you feel about this news? Will Josh Duhamel be returning in the next movie?

Only Michael Bay and time will tell. – Rappler.com