Variety: Transformers 3 Gets a Date

Despite Transformers Revenge of the Fallen still 101 days away from its release date, Variety is reporting that DreamWorks and Paramount have chosen July 1st, 2011 as the date for Transformers 3. This is similar to the previously rumored June 29, 2011 date from late last year.

HOLLYWOOD -- Paramount and DreamWorks are forging ahead with "Transformers 3," dating the movie for release on July 1, 2011.
It's the first word of the three-quel, although Paramount insiders downplayed the importance of the move.

They said the studio wanted to claim the date before a competitor did, considering that the 2011 summer release calendar is filling up.

No deals have been inked with director Michael Bay or franchise stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Nor has a writer been hired for the third installment.

What this means is the studio simply circled a date on the calendar and said "Mine! Compete if you dare!" with maybe an evil laugh. Does this mean they will achieve the release date? Obviously it is doable since Transformers 2 is coming out on time despite a rather sizable roadblock of a Writers’ Strike. Money is really the only limitation, not time, and if Transformers 2 reaches or exceeds expectations then that will not even be much of an issue. Thanks for Brian for the link.