07 July,2011 01:51 PM IST | | PTI
After Shia LaBeouf decided not to return for a fourth film in the 'Transformers' franchise, rumour has it that Jason Statham will be replacing him.
Post the release of the third film 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon', speculations about a fourth instalment is rife and the production team is keen on casting 'Transporter' star Statham, 46, reported AceShowbiz.
Incidentally, Statham is dating Rosie Huntington Whiteley, who was paired opposite LaBeouf in the third film. "It's clear the franchise still has huge potential but with a new leading man capable of taking 'Transformers' in a new, darker direction.
"Jason could be just the man to do that and his relationship with Rosie would be an added bonus in marketing the movie," said a Hollywood insider. The rumours about Statham's entry into the autobot-war film emerged after LaBeouf and director Michael Bay hinted of their retirement after the third instalment.
"If they're going to do it again, they have to attempt it with somebody else. We took it to the limit. We tried as hard as we could. I don't think we can turn in a movie that's better than this, really," LaBeouf said. Critics feel that replacing the former actor-director duo will be a tough task for the franchise.
"Unfortunately, making a deal for a property this big won't be easy. I'm sure a bunch of directors and stars will be kicked around publicly before new hires are made," said Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice online.
