Mark Wahlberg to star in Transformers 4?

Michael Bay is considering signing Mark Wahlberg up for 'Transformers 4'.

The 47-year-old director - who helmed the first three films in the franchise - previously dismissed speculation the 'Ted' star is going to be in the forthcoming movie but the filmmaker has now hinted the 41-year-old star could appear in the motion picture after rumours presented him with the idea to cast Mark.

In a post on his personal website, Michael wrote: "I squashed a rumor that was on the internet last week. It was about Mark Walhberg. Mark was rumored to be staring in Transformers 4. We are working on another movie together, not T4.

"I had such a great time working with Mark on 'Pain and Gain', and he gave such a great performance - well let's say that very internet chatter gave me some ideas. We are at the inception of our story process right now on T4. Let's say some ideas are gaining traction with me and my writer - so I'm here to say thanks internet chatter."

Shia LaBeouf starred in the first three movies in the franchise and while there was recent speculation he had been offered $18 million to reprise his role of Sam Witwicky for a fourth time, his representatives have since denied such claims.

Despite originally saying he didn't want to helm a fourth 'Transformers' movie, Michael recently admitted he decided to do the film because he didn't want anyone else to "screw it up", and he was impressed with 'Transformers' rollercoaster ride at Universal Studios when it opened in Hollywood in May.

He explained: "I thought I was done. Then the ride came out and the two-and-a-half-hour lines. And then you're thinking, 'Oh my God, someone's going to take this over.' And you start doing a lot of soul-searching."

'Transformers 4' is slated for a June 2014 release.