'Transformers 4' and 'Divergent' casting kicks off in earnest

Nobody will be shocked to learn that Michael Bay is targeting a number of hot, young actresses for Transformers 4. No supermodels just yet, but you know one will end up starring alongside Mark Wahlberg. It's bound to happen. For now the aim is to fill the role of Wahlberg's daughter, along with her race car driver boyfriend, proving that the character descriptions we learned about weeks ago were true. Also, the adaptation of young adult novel Divergent is looking for a male lead to star opposite Shailene Woodley, and the two productions are eying some of the same talent.

First up, THR reports that four actresses will be testing for Bay soon: Isabelle Cornish aka Abbie's younger sister, Nicola Peltz(The Last Airbender), Gabriella Wilde(The Three Musketeers), and Margaret Qualley aka Andie McDowell's daughter are all in contention to likely be little more than damsels in distress in the blockbuster film. As for who will play her Texas racer boy-toy? Luke Grimes(Taken 2), Hunter Parrish(Weeds), Jack Reynor(What Richard Did), Brenton Thwaites(Blue Lagoon: The Awakening), and Landon Liboiron(Terra Nova) are all up for the role.

So why a bunch of nobodys? Well, they're cheaper for one thing, and when you've got Wahlberg and a bunch of $1B giant robots running around who cares who the humans are? Whoever signs on will have to sign a three-picture deal as part of Paramount's new Transformers trilogy.

Finally, Reynor and Thwaits are also being targeted for Divergent, Neil Burger's adaptation of the Veronica Roth novel set in a future Chicago where society has been divided into five virtuous factions. They'll star opposite Shailene Woodley, and the hope is that this will turn into the next big YA franchise.