Mark Wahlberg will star in the fourth iteration of the popular Transformers franchise – it turns out the Internet rumors were correct after all. Award-winning director Michael Bay is once again directing the continuation of the science-fiction series based on the Hasbro toy line.

New Star

Officially signing on as the film’s lead, Mark Wahlberg will replace Shia LeBeouf, the previous star of the trilogy. The popular actor of “The Departed” and “Boogie Nights” also stars alongside Dwayne Johnson in Bay’s upcoming film “Pain and Gain,” which about a bodybuilding duo involved in an extortion and kidnapping scheme gone awry. “An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to reinvigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers legacy,” the popular director officially stated while praising Wahlberg’s performance. Bay admits that Internet chatter played a role in his casting decision, and that other ideas are “gaining traction” with him and his screenwriter.

New ‘Bots

Building on the new cast, the film will reportedly star a new set of robots in the Autobots versus Decepticons war. Due to underwhelming toy sales after 2011’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Hasbro president and CEO, Brian Goldner, plans to launch a new toyline in confluence with the new film, as DigitalTrends.com reported.

Whether these new Autobots and Decepticons are completely original creations, or scrounged from past toylines and animated series, remains to be seen. Fans should not fear that their favorite Autobot will be left in the dust; Bay assures that legendary voice actor Peter Cullen will return as the gravelly voiced Optimus Prime.

“We’re taking the story that you’ve seen – the story we’ve told in three movies already – and we’re taking it in a new direction,” Bay stated about the tentatively titled “Transformers 4” on AceShowbiz.com. Bay ensures that the latest Transformers will not be a reboot.

Let’s Get it Started

Shooting will potentially begin in April or May of 2013, after Michael Bay’s “Pain & Gain” is released. It’s speculated that “Transformers 4” will be released in June 2014, according to SlashFilm.com.

Following “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” the latest Transformers film will be based on series veteran Ehren Kruger’s screenplay. Kruger’s other screenwriting credits include “Scream 3 & 4,” “The Ring” and “Arlington Road.”

The Transformers trilogy has pulled in a massive sum of money worldwide, with each movie gaining more than the last. This latest robot blockbuster is expected to monetarily exceed the $1.12 billion earnings from “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”

Bay has stated that this will mark his final involvement in the Transformers franchise. Hasbro remarked that they’re interested in keeping the franchise alive with additional films, Examiner.com reported, with or without Bay at the helm. Acclaimed director Steven Spielberg will once again executive produce.