That didn’t take long.  Less than 48 hours after we learned of Megan Fox’s ouster from the production of upcoming blockbuster Transformers 3, we get news that model turned actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is set to replace her. Let me not pretend that I know anything about her.  She is the gal in these photos, who consequently has never acted before. The 23 year old is a Victoria’s Secret model, which still doesn’t help me out, since they all look the same in various stages of undress.  An internet search will yield similar results for the curious.  But here she is.

JoBlo.com claims this is confirmed news, while others are still not commenting.  I suspect where there is fire there is smoke.  She supposedly beat out Mrs. Roddick, Brooklyn Decker, for the role, someone whose work I am familiar, as she was the cover girl for the last SI swimsuit issue.  Is this a sign that Bay is not concerned about how well the female lead can act, but only how she looks?  Perhaps. It’s the robots’ show and LeBeouf and company really are there to serve as down periods between robot action anyway (from what I gather).  I suffered through the first film once and never saw the sequel. Sue me.  Nevertheless, do you think that Transformers 3 can get by without Fox?  If I was a betting man, which I sometimes I am, somehow, I think the production will be fine, the fans won’t miss Fox much (especially once the previews come out), and the film series can come to its ultimate (hopefully) conclusion here with the third chapter of Transformers.  Agree?

So, Megan Fox has been kicked off of Transformers 3, or as her reps would have it, she has decided not to do it.  Regardless of who was the one ultimately pulling the trigger here (and my odds are Director Michael Bay as the one who made the decision first), this is a sign that Megan Fox clearly doesn’t want a career in acting.

I don’t like to have to comment on something like this.  My opinion is just that, and I can only assume that working with Bay can be a painstaking process to say the least. I know people that know him very well, and I am fairly comfortable with the notion that he is an ego-maniac.  That being said, the man is a success, so an actor is typically not smart to get on his bad side.  Especially one as “accomplished” as Fox.  Since Megan has routinely put her foot in her own mouth in the press, she has to be largely the one to blame here.  Michael giveth her an opportunity, and he taketh away.

Looks can only take an actress so far. Transforming robots can take them farther.

I know she has Jonah Hex coming up, which looks surprisingly good thus far, but after that what can she count on?  I suspect Fox thought she was better than the production and despite the number of rumors out there (Bay wanted her to tan too much; Bay made her self-conscious and kept her thin), everything ultimately is tantamount to an excuse.  Her loss is another actresses gain.  Good move or bad on Megan’s part? Or do you side with Bay’s decision here?

It was way back in March, months before Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was unleashed on the public, that Paramount announced a release date of July 1, 2011 for Transformers 3. Just two years to release a new installment in a huge effects-laden franchise.

Bay responded with, “No way. I said I was taking a year off from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake,” saying he agreed to a 2012 release date, not 2011.

Well, the studio got its way as Bay wrote on his website (MichaelBay.com) today, announcing the new film.

Well its official: We have a great Transformers 3 story. The release date is now July 1st 2011. Not 2012.

Today is Day One. This morning started with an ILM meeting for five hours in San Francisco. Currently I’m flying with writer Ehren Kruger to Rhode Island to talk to Hasbro about new characters.

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.

Pain and Gain is right after shooting of Trans 3.

I can’t imagine Bay is happy about this, given his earlier comments, but I’m sure the powers-that-be had a way of persuading him. At least he promises the film that doesn’t include fighting robots (Pain and Gain) will come “right after.”

I wonder if Megan Fox WANTS to come back (especially after the crew authored “hate letter”). I presume if Parmount could persuade Bay, they could coax Fox, especially with the box office failure of Jennifer’s Body.

For those interested, Michael Bay is offering autographed copies of the Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu-rays signed by himself and Tyrese, with all proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation, at his website here.

It’s time for some of our good friends of the world of film news, rumor and innuendo, to join us this week. Concrete statements and absolute truths and few are far between today, so we thought we’d catch you up on the latest quasi-news for the past week. Some, you’ll undoubtely enjoy more than others, but we’re bringing them here to you in one sloppy mess. Lap it up.

Apparently a script is being written where two vastly different worlds would collide. That of Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand. The story is currently entitled Mother’s Curse and is a road-comedy of sorts. I assume we should think Harold & Kumar-esque. Sounds weird, but that’s the talk as of now. [Hit Fix]

Jessica Biel is rumored to be in talks to star in the upcoming Marvel Comics adapation of Thor, opposite Chris Hemsworth. There are a few possibilities as to which character she would play. One is Thor’s girlfriend (always a stretch), Sif, an Asgardian warrior, or The Enchantress, who assists Thor’s nemisis, Loki. [Nuke The Fridge]

Even though I told you it was rumor day, I hesitate to post such a preposterous story, but supposedly Heath Ledger tried to sabotage The Dark Knight by overacting. Absurd, I know. Don’t hate me. Hate along with me. The story claims to be taken from “Vanity Fair” and allegedly quotes Ledger’s agent. I call BS and so can you. I’m sure it was a matter of miscommunication as the “VF” article doesn’t actually quote the agent, but rather paraphrases him. [Worst Previews]

See Sam Jackson explain why his character, Nick Fury, doesn’t appear in Iron Man 2. Read my explanation of why I’m not in Iron Man 2 – I don’t act. [MTV Splashpage]

Jackie Earle Haley, awesome in anything he does, informed [Bloody Disgusting] that he’s signed on for three A Nightmare on Elm Street films as Freddy Krueger. That’s two more after the one that just finished shooting. Haley, combined with Patrick Wilson, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly for Little Children made for an acting powerhouse.

Bill Nighy, awesome in the BBC miniseries “State of Play,” will have a role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After seeing the trailer for …and the Half-Blood Prince in IMAX last weekend, I was amazed, but still won’t see it. [The Leaky Cauldron]

The homeboy Leo Spitz, played by Ramon Rodriguez, such a worthless character I didn’t mention him in my review, from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen may have a bigger role in film number three. Would you have cared for him more or less if he was played by Jonah Hill as originally offered? [Hero Complex]

Disney’s return to 2-D animation after being resurrected by John Lassetter, The Princess and the Frog, has a few featurettes on the making of the film for your perusal. [Latino Review]

Finally, here’s nine seconds of video for you of Spike Jonze working on VFX for Where the Wild Things Are. Please note after viewing the video that I told you it was only nine seconds long. [Mark Romanke's Posterous]

The internet was abuzz yesterday with news that Transformers 3 had an official release date of July 1st in 2011.  One of the reasons we don’t often post on release date matters until they are nearly at hand is the obvious nature that they can change so often.  Especially when we are talking 2-3 years out at this point.  Over at MTV Movies Blog, Michael Bay has said there is no chance in hell that Transformers 3 will be dropping on that date in 2011.  So get out your pda’s and your dry-erase boards that you so vigorously scribbled in yesterday and let’s just say that July 1, 2011 ain’t happenin’….at least not with Bay.

Bay had essentially agreed to a 2012 release date, not a year earlier as was widely reported.  He has stated that he needs a break from the robot stuff:

Bay indicated he “needs a break from fighting robots,” and to meet a 2011 release date for the second sequel in this toy movie franchise, he’d have to start prep work this September. “No way,” he wrote. “I said I was taking a year off from Transformers.” He also added, “Paramount made a mistake.”

There is some speculation that Paramount would move the franchise forward without him, but I can’t imagine any rash decision like that taking place without Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen even coming out yet.  What say you, do you care at this point, or is it simply too far out to even be bothered with?  Holla back and let us know.

In the “kind of – out of this world” category, it appears that Transformers 3 already has a release date in Germany!  No, I didn’t say Transformers 2, which hasn’t even come out yet, but I said Transformers…’3′!!!  Dark Horizons has an interesting post on some release date changes which lists this on it.  I honestly don’t know how much stock to put into something like this.  When there isn’t even a first sequel released, how can there be a set date for a third film.  In Germany, no less?  Bizarre.  I guess there should be some excitement if this is true, the date listed is June 29, 2011.  We’ll see…