‘Transformers 3’ confirmed for 2011

Los Angeles: Ending a complete lack of suspense, director Michael Bay said Thursday that he will shoot a third "Transformers" film, whose release date has been brought forward by exactly one year to July 1, 2011.Stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are slated to return to the Paramount/DreamWorks project, as is Ehren Kruger, the co-writer of this year`s hit sequel "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." The first two films have grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide.

Bay wrote on his Web site that he met with George Lucas` ILM effects house in San Francisco Thursday morning, and then flew with Kruger to talk new characters with Hasbro executives in Rhode Island. "Well, it`s official: We have a great `Transformers 3` story," Bay said on his Web site. "Today is Day One." Paramount`s summer 2011 is shaping up to have four tentpoles: Marvel features "Thor" and "First Avenger: Captain America" bow May 20 and July 22, respectively. And the DreamWorks Animation sequel "Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom" hits theaters June 3. Bureau Report