Transformers 4 and 5 to Film Back to Back with Jason Statham? Rumored Late 2012, Early 2013 Start Date

During the Hasbro Inc earnings call yesterday, CEO Brian Goldner announced that he, Michael Bay, and Steven Spielberg are in "active discussions" to continue the live action Transformers franchise beyond the trilogy, and now, Variety reports that Transformers 4 and Transformers 5 may be filmed back-to-back.

According to sources close to the planning process, nothing has been set in stone yet, but Ehren Kruger has some ideas on the next installments.

There was no word on whether or not the film's story would be a reboot or if it would continue in the same continuity.

Don Murphy, a producer of the trilogy, has stated that there would not be a reboot.

Variety reports that Shia LaBeouf seems to definitely be out, giving a fresh face to the franchise.

Enter, once again, Jason Statham. The action star was previously rumored to take Shia LaBeouf's place a while back, but was quickly squashed by Mr. Bay at the time.

Could Jason Statham (seen here in Killer Elite) replace Shia LaBeouf?

Mr. Bay will definitely serve as executive producer for the film, but is still interested in directing the franchise, reports Variety.

However, if that is going to happen, Mr. Bay will have to squeeze in his project about competitive body-building called "Pain and Gain" before late 2012, early 2013, which is the projected timeframe when production on Transformers 4 and Transformers 5 could potentially begin.

Michael Bay will be back as executive producer, and maybe director

While Paramount Pictures has never done this back-to-back thing, it has become quite common in the movie industry, with the second and third installments of Pirates of the Caribbean and Fast Six and Fast Seven.

Variety also points out that this will provide Hasbro, Inc. a larger lead-in time to plan their toyline a lot better. This makes a lot of sense, since Hasbro seems to have issues timing out their lines a bit, with Transformers Prime figures still not on shelves despite the first 26 episode season having already concluded.