Mark Wahlberg says 'Transformers 5' could Begin Filming Soon

This will come as a shock to absolutely no one, but Mark Wahlberg  is coming back for Transformers 5. The ending of Transformers: Age of Extinction certainly left the door open to it, and given that the film made over $1B despite getting hammered critically, there was no doubt another film was coming. While Michael Bay is unlikely to be involved, a release date in 2016 was tentatively set, which would mean a start date should right around the corner. Well, Mark Wahlberg think so, too.

While talking with MTV about his upcoming remake of The Gambler, Wahlberg confirmed he's on board for the duration of the trilogy and that filming could begin soon...

Wahlberg: "Yeah, I committed to doing a couple more.“I can’t speak for Mr. Bay, but something tells me we’ll be on set soon.”

Does that "we" include Bay, who has been anxious to work on other projects that don't involve Autobots and Decepticons? That could still be up in the air but one has to expect Paramount to reveal something concrete very soon. Perhaps the directing reins will be handed over to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles director Jonathan Liebesman since he won't be returning for the sequel? He has a style very similar to Bay's, has ties to Paramount, and obviously has experience with big, nostalgic franchises. 

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Release Dates: 'Transformers 5' and 'Star Trek 3' in 2016, 'Bourne 5' Moved to Same Year

Michael Bay told us Transformers: Age of Extinction was the start of a new trilogy with Mark Wahlberg basically confirming it, and now we see Paramount taking steps to prepare for the franchise's future. Whether that will include Bay's direction is still kind of up in the air, but we do know the film will arrive in 2016.

The announcement was made today at CineEurope that not only will Transformers 5 arrive that year, but the studio will be going sequel and remake crazy in 2016 with Star Trek 3, Beverly Hills Cop, G.I. Joe 3, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2, and Paranormal Activity 5, which apparently won't come out in 2014 after all. They will also release Timur Bekmambetov's remake of Ben-Hur that same year. Star Trek 3 recently gained a director in longtime screenwriter Roberto Orci, and the plan to release it in 2016 coincides with plans to have the film ready by the franchise's 50th anniversary.

Over on the Universal lot, they've bumped the fifth 'Bourne' film eleven months to July 15th 2016. Justin Lin recently came aboard to direct the returning Jeremy Renner, reprising his role from The Bourne Legacy as super-agent Aaron Cross. [THR]

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Has 'Transformers 5' Been Confirmed for 2017?

With merchandising such a big factor when it comes to comic book films and toy adaptations, it's also become a good indicator of what is to come. Michael Bay's Transformers: Age of Extinction doesn't hit until this summer, but Hasbro is already rolling out all of the hot new toys (Silver Knight Optimus Prime is a must have!) they'll be peddling to the kiddies. And with that, it appears their plans with Paramount for a fifth film may have been revealed.

Some leaked concept art and toy images have made their way online, found over at TFW2005, and they seem to be from Hasbro's Australian license holder, Vilsco Textiles. Along with it is a planned released schedule, which means two animated Transformers features, one in the first quarter of 2015, and the other in 2016. But right at the end there's a place-holder for Transformers 5 in the second quarter 2017.

Not a total shock as we all knew the franchise would continue beyond Age of Extinction. The three year window should give Paramount plenty of time to find a replacement for Bay, who is expected to move on and pursue other projects. But the question is whether or not this is confirmed by the studio or just a tentative date? It's doubtful the marketing guys came up with it on their own, but until something official is announced take it with a grain of salt.

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