Paramount Pictures announced that it will be partnering with China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises in a “Cooperation Agreement” to produce the action flick Transformers 4. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura stated that a fourth film is in the works aiming for a 2014 release with Michael Bay to direct and produce the film.
The Paramount announcement does not confirm that Transformers 4 is planning to apply for official co-production status. This decision was made as a strategic solution by reducing the additional costs of box office revenue normally paid to top American producers. Producers need to apply through the China Film Co-Production Corporation, which is authorized by the state to determine whether films are worthy of the co-production label.
The exciting venture with China is not that simple considering the Chinese state is not making it easy for foreign producers to use co-production status as a loophole to avoid the quota, since films are expected to comply with a strict set of standards to qualify.
Shia LaBeouf will not return in any future installments. Mark Wahlberg has instead been cast in the lead role.
, Nicola Peltz, Gabriella Wilde and Margaret Qualley were all considered to play the daughter of Mark Wahlberg’s character while Luke Grimes, Landon Liboiron, Brenton Thwaites, Jack Reynor and Hunter Parrish were all considered to play the race car driving boyfriend
Bay announced on his website that Reynor is the race car driving boyfriend and that the fourth film will start the next installment in the overall series, with Peltz, cast as the girlfriend. Tyrese Gibson is in talks to reprise his role. Glenn Morshower stated that he was contracted for two films and he will reprise his role. Filming is expected to take place at an estimated budget of $165 million.
Plot summary released:
As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his cross-hairs The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues.
Release date confirmed for June 27, 2014.
