TQS StaffIt’s official: the former rapper and underwear model will play the lead human role in the next installment of the Transformers franchise. The storyline of ‘T4′, which is scheduled for a June 2014 release, isn’t yet clear, nor is the exact nature of Wahlberg’s role. Wahlberg will replace Shia LeBeouf as the leading man, but it’s unclear if he will play the role of Sam Witwicky, LeBeouf’s character in the first three movies.
The Power of Internet Chatter
The rumors of Wahlberg starring in ‘T4′ were started by Twitchfilm.com editor Todd Brown, when he posted a story in late October about the impending partnership. Director Michael Bay quickly quashed the story, writing on his own website that the rumors about Wahlberg are just that, rumors!
“Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4,” the director wrote on Michaelbay.com. But it appears all the innuendo caused Bay to have a change of heart, or simply reveal his intentions all along.
Michael Bay and Wahlberg have been working on the action-comedy “Pain and Gain” for the past year. Bay at first said he would not return for a fourth installment of Transformers, but ultimately conceded he didn’t want someone else finishing what he started. “Pain and Gain” finished filming last month, which shifted Bay’s focus to his next project. And after initially denying he and Wahlberg will re-unite for ‘T4′, he confirmed the partnership yesterday.
“Mark is awesome. We had a blast working on ‘Pain and Gain’ and I’m so fired up to be back working with him,” Bay said. “An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers’ legacy.”
Storyline Still A Mystery
Though it’s clear there will be an entirely new cast of robots (along with Optimus Prime) and a new lead man, details about the plot are still scarce. Hasbro confirmed the new robots will help boost toy sales, which were disappointing following the release of “Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon.” Some had speculated a female would play the leading role, but we now know Wahlberg will man that position. Bay has said the new film will feed off the history of the first three, but will present a new story so first timers can catch on quickly.
“It’s not a reboot, that’s maybe the wrong word. I don’t want to say reboot because then people will think we’re doing a Spider-Man and starting from the beginning. We’re not,” Bay said.
It’s not clear if Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley will reprise their roles in the film. Michael Bay has made small cameo appearances in “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” but hasn’t tipped his hat as to his plans for a role in the latest edition.
By Jamie McHale
