Dinobots confirmed for Transformers: Age of Extinction
Plus new Chinese actors added to cast after winning TV talent show.
Update: Yahoo revealed that the 'Transformers 4' title is 'Transformers: Age of Extinction'. The name hints that the Dinobots will be heavily involved in the plot.
In a veritable torrent of Transformers-based news and rumour, it appears that some new stars have been confirmed... both living and mechanical.
Rumours emerging earlier this year suggesting that the Transformers' prehistoric spin-off pals the Dinobots would feature in the fourth 'Transformers' movie have now been confirmed.
Speaking to Beijing News, the film's producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said: “I can not disclose the specifics, but you can be sure that the joining of the Dinobots will give the audience new excitement.
[First look: Optimus Prime redesigned for Transformers 4]
“In addition to Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, the appearance of these classic roles changed, today the world’s coolest, most exciting cars will appear in the film, including China’s vehicles, whether you are a car enthusiast, you will feast your eyes and be shocked by them.”
Mildly odd wording, no doubt due to the translation, but hopefully the important bits are sound.
The film now has four new real-life, living and breathing cast-members too.
It was announced earlier this year that the Chinese are of the production would be casting some of its actors through the rather functionally entitled TV talent show 'Transformers 4 Chinese Actors Talent Search Reality Show'.
[Why Michael Bay is a misunderstood genius]
Now, after 70,000 people entered, four have been chosen for roles.
First is Byron Li, a martial arts specialist and actor, who will play a kung-fu fighter, and second Candice Zhao, a winner of the 35th Miss Bikini International Pageant China, who is set up for the role of a 'sexy goddess'.
The last two roles go to Austin Lin, a Taiwanese actor who will play a 'computer geek' and Teresa Daley, also Taiwanese, who will play a character called Loli.
The join fellow Chinese actors Li Bingbing and Han Geng who were cast in the more traditional fashion.
The film, which also stars Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor is due out on June 27, 2014.