Jason Statham may replace Shia LaBeouf in Transformers 4

After the successful opening of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the grapevine is abuzz that the production team is now looking for a new face for the hero role portrayed by Shia LaBeouf. Sources claim that the name of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's boyfriend Jason Statham is heard as the possible replacement to Shia in next Transformers sequel.

The rumour about Shia's replacement started making rounds after the actor and director Michael Bay hinted their retirement from the franchise. At the NYC premiere of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Shia had said, "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."

Now, it is reported that the bosses of franchise are planning to do Transformers 4. "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," the Showbiz Spy quotes as an insider saying.