London, Aug 30 - 'Transformers' director Michael Bay has lined up his next sci-fi franchise.

Based on a collection of novels written by author James Frey, Bay's production company has picked up the rights to 'I Am Number Four', the first in a series of six books about nine aliens who escape to earth before their planet is destroyed, reports imdb.com.

The movie, which has potential to turn into a multi-part series, follows one particular alien who takes the form of a high school student.

The third instalment in the 'Transformers' trilogy is yet to come.