Transformers 2 Release Date: June 26, 2009?

According to Box Office Mojo, the scheduled release date of Transformers 2 is June 26, 2009. This bit of news comes hot on the heels of a LA Times article saying Bay has signed a deal to direct the movie and a message from Bay indicating that if 2 doesn't move forward soon he may "jump ship."

Apparently the ship he may jump to is "2012: The War of Souls" a novel from Whitley Strieber that Bay's company optioned the film rights to. Whether his involvement is as executive producer or director though is not known.

The release date is possible, but the window to get things going is closing and closing fast. Pre-production can get done during the strike...but you have to have a script to work off of for location scouting, designs and the like. Never mind that Hasbro needs at least a year lead time. Considering the companies inability to meet demand and the probability of an expanded cast, it seems likely that Hasbro needs more then a year, so designs would need to be in by February or March of 2008 to meet their deadlines. Six months from now seems like a long time, and considering that Bay had less time for pre-production ramp up on the first movie, its doable. Assuming that he gets the full weight and support (i.e. money) from the studio sooner rather then later.

Also is this sudden announcement of a date a result of Bay's threat to leave the franchise? What of Speilberg's possible impending break from Paramount? Will Bay follow? Is all of this just noise and with the upcoming probable strike wishful thinking at best? Why June? Seems to me that May would be a better month with less competition for the sequel. Time will tell what is going on and if a strike doesn't happen, mostly scheduling concerns will probably evaporate and things will move full steam.