Mark Wahlberg Will Talk to Robots in \'Transformers 4\'

He's played a porn star who turns into a drug addict; a washed-up boxer who turns into a championship boxer; and, in his real life, a rapper and dancer who turns into an underwear model, actor and producer. So why shouldn't Mark Wahlberg appear in a movie opposite alien robots who turn into vehicles and household appliances?

Michael Bay, the director of the “Transformers” film series, said that Mr. Wahlberg, whose films include “Boogie Nights,” “The Fighter” and this summer's hit comedy “Ted,” will star in “Transformers 4,” the latest summer blockbuster based on that Hasbro toy franchise. Mr. Bay, who also directed Mr. Wahlberg in a coming action comedy called “Pain and Gain,” declared in a stateme nt on his Web site that the actor was “awesome.” “We had a blast working on ‘Pain and Gain,'” Mr. Bay said in the statement, “and I'm so fired up to be back working with him. An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers' legacy.”

The first three “Transformers” movies, which sold more than $2.6 billion in tickets worldwide, starred Shia LaBeouf as the young hero Sam Witwicky. (Don't worry, Mr. LaBeouf â€" maybe there's a role in a new “Star Wars” movie for you?) Paramount plans to release “Transformers 4″ on June 27, 2014. In the meantime, Mr. Wahlberg, say hi to Optimus Prime for us.