Respected actors join Transformers 3

Frances McDormand, John Malkovich and Ken Jeong have signed on to star alongside fellow thesps Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox in Transformers 3.

According to Deadline, McDormand will have a large role as National Intelligence Director, while Malkovich will play the boss of Shia LaBeouf’s character, Sam Witwicky.

It is unknown what character Jeong will play, although we secretly hope he is reprising either his mean doctor from Knocked Up or his nude gangster from The Hangover.

So, does the inclusion of respectable actors make Michael Bay‘s third Transformers film more enticing? Kind of. But not really.

Pre-shooting starts next month, with a release set for July 2011. That means, as of August 2011, Hugo Weaving will have not seen all three Transformers films.

Discuss: I guess McDormand and Malkovich better start preparing for their eventual Razzie nominations! Career firsts!