Get ready for more robot destruction: 'Transformers 3' set for July 1, 2011

Optimus Prime will back in the summer of 2011.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

There was little doubt a third "Transformers" picture would happen after this July's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" grossed an eye-popping $832 million worldwide, but it was unclear when that would actually occur.  Especially with Michael Bay pondering a serious break.  Well, throw that scenario out the window.  Bay has gotten back to work quickly by announcing on his website today that "Transformers 3" will arrive on July 1, 2011.

The filmmaker noted he'd already had a meeting with ILM this morning in San Francisco and would be traveling with screenwriter Ehren Kruger to meet with producer Hasbro about new characters. Bay also said they had a "great" story and had this tongue-in-cheek message for Megan Fox.

" P.S. Megan Fox, welcome back. I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture. Please consult your Physician when working under my direction because some side effects can occur, such as mild dizziness, intense nausea, suicidal tendencies, depression, minor chest hair growth, random internal hemorrhaging and inability to sleep. As some directors may be hazardous to your health, please consult your Doctor to determine if this is right for you."

Considering Fox's recent box office history with "Jennifer's Body," she'd be silly not to return to the profitable franchise.

"Transformers 3" will join what has become a very action packed and anticipated summer.  Sony Pictures kicks off May with "Spider-Man 4," followed by Marvel's launch of "Thor" and "The Hangover 2." Warner Bros. is expected to release "The Green Lantern" in June and DreamWorks Animation will have "Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom."  Following "Transformers" will be the second part of the final installment of the "Harry Potter" franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" as well as "The First Avenger: Captain America," "Battleship" and the CG-live action hybrid "The Smurfs."  Oh, and if Johnny Depp stays on board, Walt Disney plans to release "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" that summer. 

Gregory Ellwood
Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder

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With over a decade of experience in the movie industry, Ellwood survived working for two major studios and has written for Variety, MSN and the LA Times. A co-founder of HitFix, Ellwood spends his time relaxing hitting 3’s on the basketball court and following his beloved Clippers.