Jack Reynor is bulking up for his role in 'Transformers 4'.

The up-and-coming Irish actor was cast by Michael Bay in the latest instalment of the robot franchise earlier this month, and he has revealed he is undertaking an intense physical regime to prepare for his role in the film.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the London Critics Circle Film Awards last night (20.01.13) at the May Fair Hotel, he said: ''I'm training very intensely at the moment. I'm going to keep that up until we shoot. I'm going to do some different courses, some different things I need to pick up for the film. My character seems to be a race car driver so I'm going to be doing a couple of driving courses and getting out on the track.''

Quizzed about how he landed the role, he added: ''It was after a film I was doing, 'The Delivery Man', with Dreamworks. I went through quite a rigorous audition process out in L.A., and after a certain amount of auditions and meetings with different executives, I managed to pull it off.''

The 20-year-old 'What Richard Did' actor - who was hailed by director Michael as the ''real deal'' - hasn't met co-star Mark Wahlberg yet, but admits he greatly admires the 'Ted' star.

He said: ''I haven't met him before, but I'm really excited. He's one of my favourite actors. I just think he's brilliant. I have a huge amount of respect for him as an actor so I can't wait to get on set with him.''

Although the film's lead character has yet to be cast, Jack insists he trusts Michael, who is credited with making household names out of Megan Fox and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, to pick the franchise's next beauty.

He said: ''I think Michael Bay has his ideas about it and I'm going to go along with him. He seems to know what he's doing.''

'Transformers 4' is rumoured to begin filming in May for a tentative June 2014 release.

Other stars who attended the glitzy awards ceremony included Helena Bonham Carter, Samantha Barks, Toby Jones, Emily Blunt and Tom Holland.