It has been a few days since director Michael Bay declared his intentions with regard to Transformers 4. A release date for the movie he has now been confirmed to direct has been pencilled in for June 29 2014 by Paramount. Steven Spielberg is on board once again as executive producer and has already begun some work on the project. However, we do not yet know very much about other aspects of the sequel to ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’.

This far ahead of a release it would be unusual to be clear about many details of a film. However, two big questions have been asked by both journalists and fans. People would like to know whether or not Transformers 4 will amount to more of the same. They would also appreciate it if they knew something about the cast of the upcoming movie. Of course, Michael Bay is under no obligation to satisfy our curiosity.

Responding to questions, Michael Bay has suggested that Transformers 4 will constitute something of a break from the past. However, it will probably be a question of evolution rather than revolution, given the enormous box office takings of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. It is thought by those in the know that there may be significant cast changes. Shia LaBeouf will probably not be involved, for example, and Rosie Huntington Whiteley has already confirmed that she will also not be present.

Fans of the existing films will be heartened by the news, but there is a long time before the film will hit the screens. It will be fascinating to see if Michael Bay makes major changes to what he must perceive as a winning formula, and most fans perceive as a lost opportunity.