Transformers Linkfest

All is quiet on the Transformers 3 production front so seems like a good time for another linkfest. This week's edition covers more Masterpiece toy news, possible military application of TF concept, galleries and reviews.

Masterpiece Rodimus Prime Details
The first real Masterpiece toy in years is supposed to be released sometime by the end of the year and new details have shown this could be one of the coolest yet. It seems the toy has been designed to transform not only into Rodimus Prime with trailer/battle station but also into Hot Rod. Click the link above to view a few more pics of what just might be one of the best Transformers yet. Of note is the toy is rumored to possibly be released stateside sometime next year but oddly Hasbro will replace the trailer with a Targetmaster figure. I guess this is to keep the toy in the $50 or so price range.

Power Core Combiner Video Reviews
Peaugh is back with five new reviews of various Power Core combiners. I remain indifferent to this sub-line but for those that enjoy them be sure to hit the links below as may help in deciding which sets to buy and what to avoid.
Double Clutch w/ Rallybots 5-pk | Mudslinger w/ Destructicons 5-pk
Icepick w/ Chainclaw 2-pk | Leadfoot w/ Pinpoint 2-pk | Sledge w/ Throttle 2-pkRead More »

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More Video from Chicago and Sentinel Prime?

As Transformers 3 production winds down in Chicago, new video and images from the production have popped up online. The first set of images, including this rather odd choice in pajamas for Sam's father aka Kevin Dunn, were taken around Wednesday or so, at about the same times as the photos with John Turturro and Rosie's tight blue dress. The rest can be found here. Speaking of that, the first three videos below are from that same time period. The first is a look at John Turturro along with Alan Tudyk as they follow Shia and Rosie for a scene. The second video is the same moment but looking straight down, while the third video show Sam's parent in green outfits (at least I think its them). Thanks to Mike G. for the links.

After those videos are more from zztopeurope from a few weeks ago as the Transformers parking lot was packing up. Of note is the two black Decepeticon SUVs have been identified as Suburbans (but modified judging by the wheels). Also the security guard at the site (4th video) said the name of the Autobot fire truck is not Rodimus Prime but Sentinel Prime, as the father of Optimus. Sentinel Prime was a creation of the TF comics as the predecessor of Optimus Prime as leader of the Autobots. In War for Cybertron, he was leader when the Cybertronian civil war started and killed by Megatron leading to Prime's ascension. Like most of the TF names, this one will probably not be confirmed until next year. Thanks to zztopeurope and DJ BigTymeBeats for the links.Read More »

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Detroit Pulls Out the Big Guns, Turturro in House and Street Closures

Three blurbs of Transformers 3 production news from Chicago and Detroit. To start, if had hopes that cast and crew were going to remain in Chicago past September 1st, might as well dash as Jalopnik has posted a small gallery of images that show that crew is in town prepping the Packard Plant for filming. If the big gun/jet engine/beats me is any indication, it looks like the site will be involved in more action pack filming. However, I think the site is considered private property so not expecting quite the view that we occasional got in Chicago. Click here to the other images from the plant.

Back in Chicago, it seems Shia LaBeouf continues to film at "work" as he was spotted yesterday on set in his suit again and flirting with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Carly for some scenes as she was wearing a tiny and tight blue dress. The more significant piece of news is John Turturro is finally spotted on set. Considering what is currently being filmed is probably closer to the beginning of the film then the end, it’s unclear if this proves he will be part of the big finale action sequences of the film or not. Click here for rest of the Daily Mail's gallery but ignore the text as it focuses on pointless gossip and identifies Turturro as "crew". Thanks to Phil for the link.

Last but not least, another street closure notice for today as filming returns to the Old Post Office Building along Van Buren Street.

The movie is using the Old Main Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren Street, for shooting today, and Van Buren is closed between Wacker Drive and Canal Street until 11 p.m. Lanes will be open during rush hour, however, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

Meanwhile, parking restrictions are in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday to facilitate filming of 'Transformers 3" in the area near Wabash Avenue and Washington Street.

The restrictions are:

• Both sides of Wabash from Randolph to Monroe
• The north side of Randolph from Garland to Wabash
• The south side of Washington from Michigan to Wabash
• The north side of Madison from Michigan to Wabash

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Set Report, Shia Dresses Up Again

Capone over at Ain't It Cool News was lucky enough to visit the Transformers 3 set at the Lake and Wabash parking lot while Michael Bay and company was flipping a bus last week. The article describes some of the action that was filmed, meeting the producers and crew that are involved in making the film and more. To compound the jealous rage I might be feeling, Capone was able to see a "sizzle reel" that shows off footage from the 1st three weeks in Chicago. Click here for the full article.

...the man knows how to make explosions and action look about as badass as anyone. And this sizzle reel was unstoppable, even without a single robot to be seen. Chicago hasn't looked this stunning on film, maybe ever. But watching it get totaled was just too wonderful for words. Bay showed me this reel personally and stood right next to me while we watched it. He knew it looked great, and it absolutely did. The footage also revealed a few things about plot and characters that I'm not going to spoil, and Bay was pretty open about story details that probably shouldn't be shared, including showing me the entire anamatic on his iPad for the sequence he was shooting that day.

Another, shorter sizzle reel Bay played for me later on a 3D monitor featured footage shot in 3D from the entirety of the shoot (not just Chicago scenes), and that looked insane. The man took the time and figured out how to use 3D to better this film.

Pop Sugar also posted the right image from the set, this time from yesterday with Shia LaBeouf wearing a suit so it seems the street closures along with Sam's parents visiting probably has something to do with his job (I guess at Hotchkiss Gould Investments). So it seems the next day or two may be low key filming as establish his non-Transformers life for the film.

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Transformers Linkfest

Since news has slowed a bit for Transformers 3 in Chicago, seemed like a good time to catch up on other Transformers toy and other news. Links include the usual gallery of images of upcoming toys including W4C Soundwave, a look at cartoon art, official Transformers: Prime images, five toy reviews and Sideshow Optimus Prime collectible price.

Transformers Artwork
Hit the link to view a gallery of artwork that was shown at Auto Assembly 2010. The art is previous unseen works created for G1, Beast Wars Neo, Robots in Disguise and more. Pretty cool way to see some familiar and unfamiliar designs that helped craft our favorite TF stuff. The "official planetary scale guide" is probably the coolest piece which was used for Transformers: The Movie.Read More »

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Transformers 3 Related Parking Restrictions, End Date (Updated)

Two new articles from Chicago Breaking News provide official information on when production will wrap and where they will be filming in the city for the next few days. Transformers franchise producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura spoke with the website and said that September 1st is the current last day for production.

"It's funny, we keep extending it here because we're having such a good time, to tell you the truth," Di Bonaventura said. "We were supposed to leave a few days ago, actually, and we kept extending it. Right now, around Sept. 1, but if we have any say in it, we'll keep staying here."

"Last night, I tried to think to myself 'How many cities have I shot in the last seven or eight years,' and I got up to about 118," Di Bonaventura said. "The reason I thought about it was because all of us have felt this was the best city we've ever shot in."

The other article Breaking News reports that parking restrictions will now in effect for filming around Wabash Avenue and Washington Street. It ends on Saturday morning so I guess production will be in that area for the next three days. Thanks to Colin Hinkle for the links.Read More »

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TF3 Chicago: Hotel 71 Set Prep

All seems quiet on the Transformers 3 production front in Chicago. It does seem that filming in the city is winding down as not much is reported to be going on outside. Tomorrow might bring filming around Millennium Park but no guarantees. Yesterday, production was at the Hotel 71 on Upper Wacker but it seems filming was mostly interior with only the usual set stuff giving any hint they were there. The below pictures are thanks to Colin Hinkle as the lights and crew do prep work around Hotel 71.

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Three More Weeks in Chicago? (Updated)

New reports are coming in that Transformers 3 production will stay in the city of Chicago for three more weeks. This info first came from Colin Hinkle and Sam Nickelson over the weekend but it seems closer to confirmed as a new notice went up that production returned to Lake Shore East Park for the next two days at least. The letter to the right is thanks to Jeff at Pixel Rally, which shows that production will be performing more skydiving stunts from helicopters much like TF3's first week in Chicago around Lake Shore Drive with Millenium Park as the landing ground.

In addition, CBS 2 and Chicago Breaking News are reporting that 13 bus routes are being detoured "while crews continue filming for Transformers 3". The rerouting starts today at 7:00PM until Friday 6:00AM. The sites also report there "may be occasional closures at LaSalle Street between Jackson, Adams, Madison and Monroe." Thanks to Ray for the link.

Colin also said that Transformers 3 might have returned to Hotel 71 at Wacker Drive as they are doing something inside the hotel and also prepping in the alley way underneath it. He couldn't tell if what was being worked on involved cast members or TF vehicles as didn't spot either.

It seems a lot of pick-up shots are in the works with the re-visiting of various locations. So to sum up, Transformers 3 will be remaining in Chicago at least through the week with the possibility for another three weeks total. Current info though indicates a week is the more likely scenario.

Update: Jeff provided another picture, this one indicating the planned Lake Shore and Millenium Park shoot from the letter above has been cancelled with possible date change.

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