Michael Bay may take on 'Transformers'

LOS ANGELES, April 6 (UPI) -- DreamWorks is considering Michael Bay to direct its upcoming co-production with Paramount, "The Transformers," Daily Variety said Wednesday.

Bay ("Bad Boys," "Pearl Harbor") became interested in the project after listening to a pitch by screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The writers were brought into the project by Steven Spielberg, who is executive producing the live-action take on the popular kids' toy -- which has already been adapted for a comic book series, a TV show and animated feature.

Kurtzman and Orci collaborated with Bay on DreamWorks' upcoming action picture "The Island." Plans call for a Thanksgiving 2006 release for "The Transformers."