Michael Bay today confirmed he will be back for "Transformers 3," and he also said the third installment in the series will come to theaters July 1, 2011. That's right folks: the brainless robots will be back soon...

Bay announced the news on his Web site, and the original statement follows below. He said he just met with ILM here in San Francisco, and now he's heading to Hasbro with screenwriter Ehren Kruger to talk biz, etc.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" pulled more than $800 million this summer. The film sucked big time, but it was a big money machine. Now we're in for more mindless action, Megan Fox shots and well... more of the same.

Shia LaBeouf and Fox are expected to return, and what follows here is Bay's statement in full. Enjoy it, or don't:

Well its official: We have a great Transformers 3 story. The release date is now July 1st 2011. Not 2012.

Today is Day One. This morning started with an ILM meeting for five hours in San Francisco. Currently I'm flying with writer Ehren Kruger to Rhode Island to talk to Hasbro about new characters.

P.S. Megan Fox, welcome back. I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture. Please consult your Physician when working under my direction because some side effects can occur, such as mild dizziness, intense nausea, suicidal tendencies, depression, minor chest hair growth, random internal hemorrhaging and inability to sleep. As some directors may be hazardous to your health, please consult your Doctor to determine if this is right for you.

Pain and Gain is right after shooting of Trans 3.

Michael