Looks like everyone jumped the gun a little bit on those “Transformers” sequels reported a couple of days ago. With Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner claiming he was already talking to Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay about sequels, and with trade reports buzzing that “Transformers 4” and “Transformers 5” would potentially shoot back-to-back with Jason Statham being eyed as the new lead, the news appears to have put the cart in front of the horse. Or something. As it turns out, both Bay and Statham have flat out denied their involvement in any forthcoming films.
The web-friendly Bay hit the Shoot For The Edit (via FirstShowing) forums to once again confirm his plans to shoot the low budget “Pain and Gain” next. “I am currently not talking to Paramount on T4 and T5 despite reports. I’m looking at a lot of possibilities coming my way right now weighing options,” Bay posted adding, “Most likely going to be doing the low budget ‘Pain and Gain,’ a true story crime thriller. It’s a very quick shoot and quite funny. Also just finishing the 3 disc set of the ‘Transformer’ trilogy.”
To refresh your memory, “Pain and Gain” has been a project Bay has been wanting to do for a couple of years now, based on a true story about a gang of body building criminals. Seriously. It will be a step away from Bay’s big budget FX extravaganzas, but we have to admit, it’s the most promising project he’s been linked to in years.
Meanwhile, MTV caught up with Jason Statham who chalked up all this “Transformers” business to web rumors also stating he hasn’t received any offers. “You know, I don’t know how those things start. You read them. Someone told me about it. [But] the internet is a dangerous place,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff out there.” Of course Statham knows where the money is and he certainly would like to work with Bay at some point. “I’ve got a lot of stuff in front of me, but Michael Bay is a talented man. This last one just made a billion dollars around the world, so people like his films. He’s a talented man.”
So hold your horses kiddies, the Autobots and Decepticons may be planning a new invasion in another film, but don’t Bay or Statham in just yet.