Michael Bay directing next Transformers film

Paramount Pictures has signed Michael Bay to a two-picture deal that includes the next installment of the Transformers franchise, the studio said.

First out of the gate for the pyrotechnics maestro is Pain And Gain, a kidnapping film set to star Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne The Rock Johnson. That film will begin production in early spring.

"Michael has been working on Pain And Gain for a number of years but has patiently waited for the perfect casting to trigger a start," Adam Goodman, president of Paramount's Film Group, said in a statement. "Clearly his patience has paid off as we couldn't be more excited about this combo. His passion for this project is just awesome."

Based on a true story, Pain And Gain follows a group of bodybuilders who get into all manner of illegal activity in Florida. The movie's producers include Bay, Donald De Line and Ian Bryce.

The next Transformers film will re-unite Bay with producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce; and executive producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian.

No word though if Shia LaBeouf's Sam Witwicky will return for more robot mayhem, but after her very public firing from Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, fans probably should not hold their breath for more Megan Fox.

Paramount will release the film on June 29, 2014.

Tribeca acquires Keanu Reeves documentary

Side By Side

Tribeca Film has acquired North American rights to Side By Side, a documentary about the transition from traditional to digital filmmaking technology, produced by Keanu Reeves, Tribeca said.

Chris Kenneally directed the movie, which features interviews with James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh and other filmmakers.

"Cinema is at a tipping point," Kenneally said in a statement. "Digital has challenged, and in some ways completely overturned, a process of making movies on photochemical film that has been a tradition for over 100 years. Side By Side is an intimate conversation between Keanu and the top professionals in the industry about this revolution and its impact."

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