Just before Christmas we were only too delighted to hear that Michael Bay had apparently handpicked Jack Reynor for a lead role opposite Mark Wahlberg in Transformers 4. Things were a little up in the air though as it wasn't clear if his casting had been approved by the studio or not.

Well, the wait is finally over because Mr Bay has only gone and confirmed that the What Richard Did star will indeed be in the movie, and on his official website no less. “I just hired a great new actor for Transformers 4 to star against Mark Wahlberg,” he wrote. “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." Agreed Michael, agreed!

He also revealed that the fourth film will mark the beginning of a brand new Transformers story arc. “This movie takes place exactly 4 years after the war in Chicago,” he wrote. “The story makes a very natural transition, and reason as to why we have a whole new cast. This Transformers will feel very different then the last three. We are embarking on a new trilogy.”

We couldn't be more delighted for Jack, who we've considered to be a bit of a ledgebag ever since he sat down for a chat with our Caroline last year. In fact, it isn't too late to vote for him to be your Ledgebag of the Year at The erics, our annual entertainment awards and get your tickets for the ceremony on January 16th. Better be quick though, voting closes at 6pm on January 9th.

Cast your Vote - The erics