'Transformers 3' Hits on July 1, 2011

Before you know it, studios are going to call dibs on weekends five or six years in the future. I mean, we're already three years out with the Marvel slate, so you might as well plan even further ahead. Variety reports that there will be a third Transformers movie and that it will arrive on July 1, 2011. The move isn't a total surprise. After all, the first Transformers opened before the fourth of July weekend, and this summer's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is set to debut on June 24th. DreamWorks and Paramount didn't mention Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, or Megan Fox, but if two of the three aren't back, I'd be surprised. Curiously, a few months ago, a German release schedule showed a June 29th release date, which kind of makes more sense, in keeping with the history of the franchise. If you'll recall, Transformers opened on a Tuesday, and the new one will arrive on a Wednesday. So a Friday debut for the third film - which has no official title or even a writer at this point - would be out of character. The 29th of June is a Wednesday. So don't be surprised if this date moves over the next two years. I haven't completely made up my mind where I see the sequel ranking in terms of summer box office, but I don't think it's going to be outside the top three, along with Harry Potter and a May movie to be named later.