Transformers: Age of Extinction has been submitted for Oscar consideration

Paramount has put it forward for Best Picture and 11 other awards

(Paramount)

In a move that pretty much sums up the studios' approach to modern cinema, Paramount has included Transformers: Age of Extinction in the shortlist of films it is submitting for Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

So unlikely to be declared the best film of the year by the academy that I can't find a single bookmaker taking odds on it, the Michael Bay-directed action film has been put forward alongside the much better Interstellar and somehow even worse Noah.

In addition to Best Picture, Paramount is also hoping Transformers will be considered for Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Screenplay.

In spite of woeful reviews from critics, the Mark Wahlberg-fronted sequel grossed over $1 billion worldwide at the box office.

20th Century Fox's submissions include Gone Girl, Exodus: Gods and Kings and The Fault In Our Stars, Universal has put forward Get On Up, Unbroken and more and Disney is banking on Big Hero 6 and Into The Woods.

Richard Linklater's pain-staking Boyhood looks set to walk the Best Picture category as it stands, ahead of competition from Birdman, Unbroken and The Imitation Game.