Just when it appeared Michael Bay had all but locked in the young leads for Transformers 4, along comes the director himself with some new information. Yes, Bumblebee is out and Hot Rod is in… No, sorry, we’re being told that’s the product of our warped imaginations. Instead, Jack Reynor will be running with the robots.

Reynor, who was born in the States but raised in Ireland, is having a damn good week. His latest film, What Richard Did, is arriving in UK cinemas this week and Bay has picked him to lead off TF4 alongside Mark Wahlberg.

“I just hired a great new actor for Transformers 4 to star against Mark Wahlberg. Jack Reynor, he is an Irish kid that came to America with 30 bucks in his pocket. Pretty ballsy. Seriously who does that? Anyway I spotted him in a great little Irish movie What Richard Did. This kid is the real deal.” Mr B certainly appears happy with his choice.

This latest casting update seems to dispel the idea that Brenton Thwaites and Nicola Peltz will be taking the leads, but they may still be in the mix for roles. After all, the female lead has still not been officially announced.

The chat-happy director also took on rumours that the new film will be a reboot, which sprang up despite word that the story would continue.  “Transformers 4 is not a reboot. This movie takes place exactly four years after the war in Chicago. The story makes a very natural transition, and reason as to why we have a whole new cast. This Transformers will feel very different than the last three. We are embarking on a new trilogy.” So now we know.

 Transformers 4 will be out on June 27, 2014.