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Well like it or not, it looks like Megan Fox will NOT be back for the third installment of Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS franchise. You may recall Fox made some rather unflattering statements about Michael Bay around the time TRANSFORMERS 2 came out, even comparing him to Adolf Hitler. Really Megan? Hitler? The guy who gave you the much needed shot of adrenaline to your career? Odd. I can say this, I’ve met Megan Fox, and she was sweet when I met her, but I have heard (from people behind the scenes) that on set she can be a bit of a nightmare. Well the new hit today over at Deadline that Fox’s option for TRANSFORMERS 3 is not being picked up by Paramount, and that it was “ultimately” the decision of Michael Bay. They note that Bay and writer Ehren Kruger are finishing the script for part 3, and “giving Shia a new love interest makes more sense for the story” is what an insider told them.

However, People Magazine is saying different, at least on how this went down. Reps of Megan Fox told them, “Megan Fox will not be starring in Transformers 3,” and “It was her decision not to return. She wishes the franchise the best.” Nikki Finke from Deadline says that is completely false, so draw your own conclusion.

There is talk amongst fans and critics about what this will mean for Megan Fox, as outside of the TRANSFORMERS movies, her film career has been less than stellar. JENNIFER’S BODY (which I found pretty fun) didn’t perform well at the box office, and her image was the sole focus of that movie’s marketing. JONAH HEX is her next picture, which has already received negative buzz from those in the know. I personally like the comic, so I’m holding out hope it could be shockingly good.

And just hours after the news broke, The Wrap gets word that PRINCE OF PERSIA star Gemma Arterton is apparently the front-runner to replace Fox in part 3. Man, she must have the best agent in Hollywood! After appearing in a brief role during QUANTUM OF SOLACE, Arterton has been in two back-to-back huge blockbusters, CLASH OF THE TITANS and (in just weeks) PRINCE OF PERSIA. They are saying the someone close to the casting powers that be is saying Gemma has already talked with Bay about it. Some of the other possible replacements they mention include Bar Rafaeli and Miranda Kerr (who have supposedly been brought in to read for the film already), and Brooklyn Decker (cover model of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue). Arterton is the same age as both Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. If you’re like me, you may be wondering if they’re going to go for a more realistic appearance for the love interest this time around. Seems like folks have had a hard time buying into Megan Fox being smitten with LaBeouf on screen. Could we assume Shia’s character would go from one smoking hot lady to another with no problem? Hmmm….

Finally, on this bit of news roundup, AintItCoolNews is hearing from trusted sources that potential replacement include AVATAR‘s Zoe Saldana, HEROES‘ Hayden Panetierre, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL‘s Vanessa Hudgens, THE STEPFATHER‘s Amber Heard, PUSH‘s Camilla Belle, DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN‘s Emmanuelle Chriqui, THE TWILIGHT SAGA‘s Ashley Greene, DANCING WITH THE STARS‘ Julianne Hough (really? REALLY??), 90210 star Jessica Lowndes, and English model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. What a mish-mash of odd choices. Actually, the one I could most likely buy into is oddly enough Hayden Panetierre. She’s cute but not overly-sexy, and no stranger to the type of action scenes we see in these films. I doubt Zoe Saldana would ever even consider this.

So what do you think? Are you upset at Fox’s departure? Happy about it? Indifferent? Who do you think should play the new love interest? Tell us in the comments below.

Drink it in kiddies, you won't be seeing this in a Michael Bay film again.

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