The busiest summer blockbuster season in recent memory has another runner taking its place, as Michael Bay has confirmed that he will be back for Transformers 3, and that it will be appearing in the summer of 2011.

Bay had previously suggested that he might take the extra year this time, and go three years between films two and three (the first two films were two years apart). However, the man is clearly locked and loaded, and he announced the news on his official website:

"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."

And then, in a seemingly playful swipe at the stories regarding Megan Fox's comments about working on the second Transformers movie, Revenge Of The Fallen:

"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.

Michael"

It's safe to assume that Shia will be returning to do battle with giant robots once more, too. Perhaps he can give Harrison Ford his hat back after all.

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen was one of the big box office winners of the summer, with its $401m US gross making it the biggest film Stateside. Worldwide, it was outgrossed by Harry Potter and, bizarrely, Ice Age 3 (which has overcome a sub-$200m US take to generate around $900m of business in all), but there's little doubt that all concerned will be pleased with the numbers, not least with the DVD and Blu-ray release on the way.

And just to recap then what the summer of 2011 currently holds:

6 May: Spider-Man 4

20 May: Thor

26 May: The Hangover 2

3 June: Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom Of Doom

17 June: Green Lantern

24 June: Cars 2

1 July: Transformers 3

1 July: Battleship (based on the board game, directed by Hancock's Peter Berg)

15 July: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

22 July: The First Avenger: Captain America

29 July: The Smurfs

There's also Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 to fit in there, and the likely fourth outing for Jason Bourne. Crikey.

Michael Bay