Exclusive : 'Transformers 4' Cast: Tyrese in Talks to Return as Epps

The release of ‘Transformers 4’ is still more than 20 months off, but that has not slowed the anticipation as to the storyline and characters begin to take shape. Megan Fox sat out "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" and it has been reported that Shia LeBeouf will not reprise his role as Sam Witwicky in the latest version. These departures have left fans wondering whether Tyrese Gibson will return as Sergeant Robert Epps in the fourth installment.

Busy Body

An actor, producer, model and R&B singer, Gibson has been very busy lately. He is currently working on “Fast and Furious 6,” which is scheduled for release May 24, 2013. Gibson is also working on another album and on the book “Manology” with Reverend Run, formerly of the 1980s rap group Run DMC.

“I don’t know,” Gibson said when asked in London if he will be back for "T4". “Me and [Director] Michael Bay have been exchanging text messages and I hope it works out,” he said.

It seems Gibson also wants to avoid what happened during the filming of “Fast 5” and "Dark of the Moon" when he had to fly back-and-forth between Atlanta, Georgia and Puerto Rico almost daily to accommodate the filming of both movies.

Change of Plans

Michael Bay, who initially indicated he would not return for a fourth “Transformers” movie, recently had a change of heart. Bay told the Huffington Post that he did not want someone else coming in and taking over what he started. Brian Goldner, the CEO of Hasbro — which owns the Transformers line of toys — said that disappointing toy sales after “T3” is the driving force behind the new movie having new robot characters, along with many new human faces.

Of course, because there will be new characters, there will also be new storylines. But Bay has assured fans that their hero Optimus Prime will not be phased out, and Peter Cullen will reprise his voice.

The Show Must Go On

Gibson felt a close camaraderie with all the former cast members, but believes the show must always go on despite the changing faces.

“I started this…with Shia, Josh, Michael Bay and the team, and sometimes you lose a team member,” Gibson said in London. “For me, not being part of ‘Transformers 4,' if that’s what’s happening, it would really [mess] me up,” he said.

Gibson said he was a big fan of Transformers toys during his childhood, noting the 1986 animated "Transformers: The Movie" as one of his favorites of all-time.

Bay said "T4" would “keep the history” of the previous three movies in place, while broadening the storyline and picking up where it left off in Chicago. Bay just finished shooting “Pain & Gain,” starring Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and Mark Wahlberg. The relatively low-budget film has a scheduled release date of April 26, 2013. Bay’s focus is now solely on the next "Transformers" movie and possibly reeling Gibson back in for one last dance.