Rosie Huntington-Whiteley will step in for Megan Fox in Transformers 3, a source confirms to Access Hollywood.

The 23-year-old Victoria’s Secret model, dubbed ELLE magazine’s 2009 “Model of the Year,” is a newcomer to acting – but not to Transformers director Michael Bay, who directed his latest starlet in a commercial for the lingerie line last year.

Rosie will play a new character opposite Shia LaBeouf’s character, Sam Witwicky, in the summer 2011 sequel. The British bombshell was among a number of women rumored to be in line for the role, which also included Gemma Arterton, Ashley Greene and fellow model Brooklyn Decker. The Hills star Heidi Montag made a play for the role as well, Tweeting messages to Bay and posting a video of herself at a shooting range to try and show off her action skills.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, news broke earlier this month that Megan would not be returning to the franchise that made her famous.

At the time, Megan’s rep told Access that she had made the decision “not to return,” but according to Deadline, the choice was “ultimately” Bay’s.

Either way, it won’t leave Rosie much time to prepare for the role – Transformers 3 has already begun filming to meet its planned July 1, 2011 release date. According to IMDB, it will be the model’s acting debut.

Source: Access Hollywood