‘Transformers 3’: 7 Stars Who Could Step Into Megan’s Fox-y Shoes

With Wednesday’s news that Megan Fox won’t be back for “Transformers 3,” that leaves the blockbuster franchise missing one sexy leading lady. Who should take Megan’s place opposite Shia LaBeouf in the saga’s third installment? AccessHollywood.com has run down seven of our top choices.

Ashley Greene

The up-and-coming star has already proved she can handle a multi-million dollar franchise as sultry vamp Alice Cullen in “The Twilight Saga” – and with her dark-haired good looks, she’d be easy on the eyes of Megan-missers.

Olivia Munn

As host of G4TV’s “Attack of the Show” – and with a recent cameo in “Iron Man 2” – Olivia Munn’s a geek goddess, though her green-lit upcoming NBC series “Perfect Couples” may mean she’s unavailable for shape-shifting robot action.

Emma Stone

The redhead showed her action chops in “Zombieland” and a flair for comedy in “Superbad” and “The House Bunny” – her awkward humor could make her a good match for Shia as the pair runs from the Decepticons in foreign locales.

Carey Mulligan

Shia will show off his chemistry with real-life girlfriend Carey Mulligan in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” so why not bring their cinematic partnership (and her Oscar nominee glow) to the next level alongside Optimus Prime?

Zoe Saldana

Zoe’s no stranger to sci-fi action with “Avatar” and “Star Trek” under her belt — not to mention her gun-slinging role in this spring’s “The Losers.” Perhaps with her on board, Michael Bay’s latest might challenge the mighty James Cameron’s box office records.

Gemma Arterton

On Wednesday, TheWrap.com called the “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” star the front-runner to take Megan’s place, and with her brunette beauty and blockbuster resume (“Quantum of Solace,” “Clash of the Titans”), it’s not hard to see why “Transformers” might be hot on the British actress.

Heidi Montag

Within minutes of the breaking casting news, Heidi Montag took to her Twitter page to ask for the role. “Michael Bay I love your work! I know what a [sic] artistic brilliant genius you are! Cast me in the next Transformers.” With “The Hills” wrapping up and Heidi set on a new career as an aspiring Hollywood action star, perhaps the director should give the complimentary reality star the chance – at least he knows she’ll say nice things.

Who will actually take on the role remains up in the air. A source close to the film tells Access that “a short list of women” are being considered to replace Megan. Beyond TheWrap’s report, according to Ain’t It Cool News, among the actresses in the mix are Emmanuelle Chriqui, Jessica Lowndes, Hayden Panettiere, Camilla Bell, Amber Heard, Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens and model Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

“Transformers 3” is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 1, 2011, with production set to begin this week.

AH NATION: Who do you think should take Megan’s place? to vote!