Whoa! Michael Bay Boots Megan Fox from Transformers 3

Wowzers! This is pretty big. After earning over $1.6 billion worldwide, you’d think that the mentality for the future of the Transformers franchise would be, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Well, that certainly seems not be be the case with the upcoming Transformers 3, as Deadline reports that Paramount has officially denied to pick up Megan Fox’ option to return for a third film. Here’s the kicker though, it was director Michael Bay’s decision.

Many of you may remember last summer when Fox publicly bashed Bay’s “dumbed-down” interpretation of the transforming robots, saying:

“Sure. I mean, I can’t shit on this movie because it did give me a career and open all these doors for me. But I don’t want to blow smoke up people’s ass. People are well aware that this is not a movie about acting. And once you realize that, it becomes almost fun because you can be in the moment and go, ‘All right, I know that when he calls Action! I’m either going to be running or screaming, or both.’”

Pretty blatant insubordination towards one of the biggest directors on the planet, like him or not. The PR damage control statement about Fox’ apparent firing is because Bay and writer Ehren Kruger are “giving Shia a new love interest” because “it makes more sense for the story.” Not sure how that “makes more sense” considering millions of teenage boys around the globe shelled out their respective $10 to ogle Fox in her tight shorts….TWICE! The report also said that Bay will start casting immediately for the new female co-star.

So who will replace Fox as the female lead? Well it looks like Bay & Co. are wasting no time in moving on. The Wrap (via Slashfilm) reports that the gorgeous Gemma Arterton, recently featured in Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans, and the upcoming Prince of Persia, is currently the top candidate to take over for Fox. Other possible options for the role are supermodels Bar Refaeli (Leonardo DiCaprio’s GF), Miranda Kerr and Brooklyn Decker. While each of these women are unbelievably beautiful, non of them have significant acting experience, which would make them a long-shot. So Arterton seems to “make the most sense.”

What Do You Think? Discuss.