Transformers-4-LogoTaking the franchise forward, Transformers 4 is set to kick-start a new trilogy, with Michael Bay returning to the fold for Paramount for the Summer 2014 sequel.

Back in November last year, Bay himself revealed that Transformers 4 will be set four years after the events of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. We’ve not had much more to go on with the plot than that, but now new details have surfaced ahead of the film’s production this season.

A press release from the Michigan Film Office, approving the blockbuster for a film incentive there, has revealed the following short synopsis.

As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues.

Mark Wahlberg was the first person cast in the new trilogy, with Jack Reynor following soon after. And Josh Duhamel has also recently spoken about the possibility of making a cameo in the sequel, but there remains a question mark over his head for now.

Bay will be directing from a script penned by Ehren Kruger (Transformers: Dark of the Moon), and I can’t wait to see what the pair have come up with to open the new trilogy.

The as-yet-untitled Transformers 4 is set to open on 27th June in the UK and US – though Bay has previously spoken about a July 4th release date, so we could see the film pushed back to the Independence Day weekend in the coming months.