"John Rogers is writing Transformers, the DreamWorks/Paramount live-action tentpole based on the popular Hasbro toys. Steven Spielberg is exec producing.

Pic is slated for a summer 2006 release and will likely be a franchise property. DreamWorks' only franchises are /www.dreamworksfansite.com/shrek"">Shrek and /www.dreamworksfansite.com/ring"">The Ring. There is discussion over a ""Gladiator"" sequel, but no script has been written.

Angry Films topper Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto, who exec produced the two X-Men films, are producing the pic along with Lorenzo di Bonaventura.

DeSanto wrote the story that Rogers will adapt.

The Transformers, big in the 1980s, are giant robots that morph into cars, trucks and planes. Marc Haimes and John Fox are overseeing the pic at DreamWorks.

Rogers wrote Catwoman, starring Halle Berry, for Warner Bros. He is also working on Rush Hour 3 for director Brett Ratner at New Line, due out next year. At DreamWorks, he's producing Fatal Frame, based on the Japanese videogame.

Source: /www.variety.com/"">Variety."