"Transformers" director Michael Bay has announced that Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg will take the lead role in the upcoming film "Transformers 4" out in July 2014.
On his website, Michael Bay wrote, "Mark is awesome. We had a blast working together on 'Pain and Gain' and I'm so fired up to be back working with him. An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the 'Transformers' legacy."
Actor Shia LeBeouf starred as the series lead star in the first three films. However, the young actor cited his character Sam as one of the reasons why he did not wish to return, HuffPost Entertainment reported.
Rumors about the 'Ted' actor, who hails from Boston, was playing a part in the franchise were denied by Bay just a few weeks ago, E! News reported. The director wrote, "I squashed a rumor that was on the Internet last week. It was about Mark Wahlberg. Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4."
Bay added, "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."
The two recently collaborated in Bay's action comedy "Pain and Gain," which is slated for release on April 26, 2013. The film also stars Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, Rebel Wilson and Bar Paly.
Forty-one year old Wahlberg has yet to comment on his new role. "Transformers 4" is set to hit theaters June 27, 2014.
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