Who needs press releases and studio announcements when you have Michael Bay?  The Transformers 4 director recently posted confirmation of the hiring of Jack Reynor (What Richard Did) as the second lead opposite Mark Wahlberg.  There was no mention of Reynor’s character details, but previous reports suggest he’ll be the racecar-driving boyfriend of Wahlberg’s daughter.  Bay also commented on the fourth installment of the Transformers franchise, saying it’s not a reboot, but a continuation of the story in a new trilogy.  He also gives a little bit of insight into the plot.  Hit the jump to read Bay’s comments on Reynor and Transformers 4.

In a perfect storm of movie casting for ambitious young acting talent, some major movies that could make (or break) the next rising star are all in a simultaneous casting process. Here’s a look at the latest developments:

• Michael Bay is set to start screen testing actors for leads in Transformers 4, which centers on Mark Wahlberg’s character, his daughter and her boyfriend, a race car driver.
• Divergent, which carries heavy Hunger Games or Twilight-sized franchise hopes, is narrowing its scope for the male lead opposite Shailene Woodley.
• DreamWorks’ Need for Speed adaptation is looking for other racers to fill in the cast alongside leads Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots and possibly Dominic Cooper.

Hit the jump for much more on each picture.