Paramount Pictures` "TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION," the fourth film in director Michael Bay`s global blockbuster franchise has now crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office and stands at the year`s highest grossing film worldwide, with $1,005 billion grossed to date, including $763.8 million internationally and $241.2 million at the domestic box office. The film also stands as the highest grossing film in China, with over US$300 million earned.

This is the 2nd film in Bay`s epic franchise to cross the billion dollar mark, with "TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON" also grossing over $1 billion in 2011.

"Time and again, Michael has delivered pictures that audiences around the globe truly love," said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. "Along with the immensely talented and versatile Mark Wahlberg, the great Steven Spielberg as executive producer, and a superb cast, he created a powerful re-launch of this franchise. This tremendous accomplishment " to be the first film of 2014 to earn over $1 billon at the box office " proves once again that Michael is a world-class filmmaker at the top of his game. We are proud to have expanded our relationship with him and that he will continue to make Paramount his home for years to come."

Bay`s first "TRANSFORMERS" film was a box office sensation in 2007, opening at #1 and grossing more than $700 million worldwide. His second installment "TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN" in 2009 grossed more than $830 million worldwide. In 2011, "TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON" was an even bigger hit worldwide, grossing more than a billion dollars to become the 7th highest grossing film of all time.

"TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION," the fourth film in director Michael Bay`s global blockbuster franchise, stars Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, Titus Welliver and T. J. Miller. Produced by Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, and Ian Bryce. Based on Hasbro`s Transformers" Action Figures. Written by Ehren Kruger. Directed by Michael Bay

Paramount Pictures this past week announced a three-year deal extension with Bay and his production company, Platinum Dunes, and expanded the first-look agreement to cover Bay Films as well.