By Kofi Outlaw

The robots in disguise will clash again on June 26, 2009. That is the date, according to Variety, that Paramount and DreamWorks are planning to launch the sequel to the juggernaut hit Transformers, which so far has grossed almost $700 million worldwide. Michael Bay is expected to once again be at the director’s helm.

Of course the studios are already stressing that the June 26 date is tentative at best—as they probably should, since there seems to be several wrinkles that will need to be smoothed before audiences get to revel in some robot-on-robot action, an the studios see another morbidly obese payday.

First, (and as is the case with all bankable franchises,) salaries will have to be re-worked. It is reported that Michael Bay is in final negotiations to direct, but has yet to come to a deal. Stephen Spielberg golden boy Shia LaBeouf, who will soon star in another popular franchise entry, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, is also expected to return for Transformers sequel—but again, nothing has been finalized. You can be sure that both director and star—and any other co-stars of the original dredged up for the sequel—will be looking to get a piece of that $700 million love before they sign on for another chapter.

Threatening to spoil the pot for everybody, meanwhile, are the ongoing tensions between studios Dreamworks and Paramount. DreamWorks heads Spielberg and David Geffen have had not-so-private spats with the leadership at Viacom on several occasions, going so far as to threaten to end their dealings with Paramount. The split would effectively cost DreamWorks property rights to Transfomers’ CGI characters, as well as any other properties developed under the deal with Viacom. Transfomers was a pet-project for Spielberg (who took an exec producer credit); not having his input for a sequel could doom the film to the ‘all flash, no substance’ fate of unchecked Baydom.

“Baydom,” you heard it.

Finally, there are the stalls and delays inherent in the workings of the hype machine. Mass-marketing waits for no man, and in that sentiment DreamWorks and Paramount are hoping to get production on Transformers 2 underway ASAP. Trite details like story, script, etc. can always be worked out later. The impending threat of a worker’s strike in Hollywood isn’t too reassuring either—some of that $700 million love may need to get spread around, if the studios want their next cash-cow to see the light of day.

Potential hurdles aside, as they say ‘money talks, B.S. walks.’ Mutual desire to get Transformers 2 out there while the momentum is going and the profits are strong, should smooth any potential grievances between studio, stars and crew. Here’s keeping fingers crossed that cash-grab doesn’t ruin what could be one of the most anticipated second-comings of all time. Oh, and a quick prayer for CGI robots throwing down the second time around, and less live-action bad acting, if that’s not too much to ask. Having put in my fair share of that $700 million makes me feel just a bit entitled.