http://chud.com/nextraimages/transformersposter1.jpgAccording to Steven Spielberg, you’ll be getting that Transformers sequel whether you like it or not, and you’ll be getting it real soon. During today’s meet-and-greet on the Universal lot, Spielberg revealed that not only will the story for the Transformers 2 screenplay be turned in next week, the film could very well go before cameras this year! Of course, this is all contingent on the story meeting (if not ouright surpassing) the high standard of screenwriting set previously by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman on the first film.  But not to fear… Ehren Kruger is on the case!

Spielberg also confirmed that Shia LaBeouf will return as Sam Witwicky… for this film and, it appears, the foreseeable future. Quoth The Beard: "Shia has a couple more Transformers ahead of him." He’s also got D.J. Caruso’s Eagle Eye, which is scheduled for a suspiciously lengthy November to March shoot. Could it be that Spielberg, who is producing Eagle Eye, took Shia completely off the market just to ensure Transformers 2 happens pre-strike?

To be clear, Transformers 2 is not confirmed for a 2007 start date; it’s just, per Spielberg, a possibility should things come together quickly (i.e. so long as the screenplay is written in English).