The Transformers franchise is one that has grossed over $1 billion at the global box office in recent years.

And while the second movie was no a hit with the critics it certainly had cinema tills ringing two years ago.

This summer sees Michael Bay return to the director’s chair for Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon – which also sees Shia LaBeouf return to the franchise.

The Autobots Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009′s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends.

There’s new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime Transformers character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth.

Take a look at a new clip from the movie:

Ok so Transformers 2 was a little disappointing but I am more than willing to let Michael Bay redeem himself this summer with Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon.

Having seen the trailer for the third movie in the franchise it looks set to be their biggest and most daring movie yet – yes there looks to be a full scale war.

Bay is back in the director’s chair while Shia LaBeouf, who has been pretty quiet of late, it back as Sam.

With no Megan Fox newcomer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley joins the cast – Patrick Dempsey and Frances McDormand being two other new faces.

Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro are also back while Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime.

The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers’ final battle.

Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon is released 1st July. Take a look at the new poster for the film:

Ok so it’s fair to say that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was not a patch on the first film – although I have to hold my hand up and say that I did quite enjoy it!!

Vowing to do better Michael Bay is back with a third movie in the very very successful franchise – who would have know that robots would this popular!

Shia LaBeouf is back as Sam is called back into action to save the world. And while Mikaela may not be by his side the very lovely Rosie Huntington-Whiteley makes her big screen debut.

Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro are all back while John Malkovich and Patrick Dempsey are also new faces on the cast list.

The Autobots Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009′s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again.

Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon is released 1st July. Take a look at the new images.