08 July,2011 08:58 AM IST | | Agencies
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.
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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.
Incidentally, the 46-year-old 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. Critics feel that replacing the former actor-director duo will be a tough task for the franchise.
