Michael Bay Interview on Transformers 3

As a run-up to tonight's debut of the teaser trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Collider has posted an interview with director Michael Bay. The site previewed the trailer and a "huge chunk of footage" but sadly they did not reveal any major story points in the articles. The overall impression of the chunk was very positive and that is without the visual effects (anima tics used as placeholders). Empire also was there but Collider's article is much more detailed.

Below is a video from Collider as "Frosty" and AICN "Mr. Beaks" kind of expresses everything they saw during the three hour visit with Bay while the experience was still fresh on their minds. The article is so click here with a few highlights below. Thanks to Ray and Kris for the links.Read More »

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More Images, Video from TF3 in DC

The pictures and video continue to hit various websites and YouTube as Transformers 3 continues production around Washington, DC. Yesterday a big crowd showed up to the Lincoln Memorial as Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and NEST members filmed.

The set of images below come thanks to Shane W. who took them while visiting the city on Tuesday. The pics where taken at the 9th Street base camp. Also below are links to additional galleries with the 1st gallery from Bryan showing the fans ringing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while filming occurred with a break taken as Shia and Josh met fans including one fan that was able to get his ROTF 1st movie DVD signed. Bryan also reports that Tyrese was not on set but his stunt double. From comments, turns out the INOVA thingie on his uniform is a powerful flashlight.

As for videos, the first one comes from MyFox DC as they interview fans as they wait for the big Pennsylvania Avenue explosions from Monday. This is also the report that started the rumor that the Bumblebee accident would be incorporated into the scene, something that MB.com's Nelson says is untrue. Speaking of those explosions, Shane also posted five of his videos. The first three show a close look at the action from PA Ave. between 3rd and 4th Streets, the Mad Max car driving by on H Street, and the arrival of the replacement Bumblebee(s) to continue filming. Links to others show the unloading of 'Bee and Shia driving the Datsun along Pennsylvania Ave.

The fifth video is a nearly eleven minute look at some of the filming that occurred near the reflecting pool. At about that time, Bryan recorded 15 short videos from around that time that seems to include scenes with Shia, Josh and NEST. I chose a sample one, be sure to hit link below for the rest. The 7th video is from Sunday as at Constitution Hall. Not entirely sure but think Kevin Dunn (blue shirt) and Julie White (pink dress) were there. To finish things up, the last video returns us to explosion. This time from Constitution Avenue as it goes off and two cars smash into each other. Thanks to Shane, Bryan, Sideswipe, digifruitella, Katie, and Mauricio for the links, vides and images.Read More »

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Transformers 3 DC Parking Lot Gallery

Thanks to Allison, here are images of the Washington, DC parking lot that is essentially base camp for Transformers 3 production complete with make-up, costume trailers and so forth. It is located near the Old Convention Center Parking Lot on 9th Street, between New York Street and H Street. The crew, once again showing their friendliness to fans, allowed picture to be taken as long as didn't touch anything and treated the property with respect. Sadly the Wreckers remained in their trailers so no pics of them. I believe the pictures were taken before the Bumblebee car accident which is why get a look at all of them including a peak of 'Bee next to the Ferrari. Still Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Ironhide, the Decepticon Suburbans and more are on site.

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TF3 Florida: Autobots at the VAB (Updated)

Transformers 3 production continues in at the Kennedy Space Center. A source provided a report including identifying the person in the wheelchair and a video they found of most of the Transformer car as they drove away from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The TF vehicles on site include Optimus Prime with trailer, Bumblebee, Ratchet, the Ferrari, and Mercedes, the 3 Wreckers, and Sideswipe.

I was pretty close to the filming in the VAB yesterday as were about 150 extras. The guy in the wheelchair was John Turturro. I didn't snap any photos while they were filming because they are pretty strict about photos and I didn't want to get in trouble.

Many KSC employees and all the extras were able to witness some street filming last evening at KSC about an hour before sunset. A long convoy that included OP, bumblebee, a silver topless stingray (sideswipe), a red Ferrari, and three or four NASCAR based autobots, and I think Ratchet all sped down the street in front of the VAB and into the front gate of the VAB for numerous shots that were shot from different directions using the Camera chase car.

As for images, Florida Today reported about yesterday's filming along with a gallery of images here of the Wreckers. The article describes a little bit of the casting and costume process for extras cast for the shoot. It was noted that filming at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, "where the Atlas and Delta unmanned rocket programs are housed -- to the filming schedule apparently was a last-minute decision by Bay." Thanks to Sideswipe, Ray, and Richard for the links.

Update: Thanks again to Sideswipe, below are three additional videos that show off the Autobots as they drive in front of the VAB.Read More »

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"The Dreads" In Indiana

Collecticon.org has posted two videos from the video shoot in Hammond, Indiana from last month. The first video has Agent Simmons' Mayback, Autobots and the Decepticon SUVs (called "The Dreads" by crew) as they filmed on the I90 Skyway. The second video gives you a good look at the digi-truck (not Prime) that was "later destroyed in a stunt where the front of the truck was heavily damaged." The truck's color is so it can be replaced by post-production visual effects.

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International Filming Classified, Tyrese Tweets

A few odds and ends related to Transformers 3 production. International filming has not been completed but it is doubtful we will get a full list of locations and dates anytime soon as Nelson posted, "International locations and dates are not being released due to security issues." With filming rumored to be ending by mid to late October, I am guessing that it is the overseas filming that is next on the schedule after Florida (and DC) wraps.

Tyrese has commented a few times over the last few days about the production. One tweet verifies production has finished in Detroit when he tweeted "Detroit.... Were ALL DONE in your town.. God bless you ALL we were ALL treated with the best of respect and love..." Of note is while production is moving to Florida, Tyrese may not be with them as he posted "On yet another plane.. Headed back to the AtL got some HUGE scenes in the AM with Vin, P.Walker, and my dude @Ludacris #FF5 Full THrottle!!" He does seem to be commuting between TF3 and Fast and Furious 5 so it’s possible he isn't scheduled to join them in Florida until later in the week.

He also posted the pics of him in costume with the Ferrari and the guy to the right with comment "Ladies and Gents this is the guy thats been driving Optimus Prime in Transformers for ALL 3 Movies.. Wow!! http://twitpic.com/2skvsc" Just in case the Optimus driver doesn't excite you, he also tweeted a video interview with the voice of Prime, Peter Cullen from back around Transformers 1. Thanks to Charlotte for the info.

Update: Forgot that Washington DC is after Florida. Also, here is the quote that Tyrese posted with the Ferrari picture, "When I was Detroit I had lunch with the REAL star of Transformers... Jealous!??". Speculate away. Thanks to Charlotte for providing it.

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Megatron Rumor, Florida and Detroit End Date

This is kind of a catch-all post for various news and rumors related to Transformers 3 which continues production in Detroit. The rumors in include a Megatron alt mode, Florida casting, and Detroit schedule info.

To start, a new rumor is making the web rounds that Megatron might have a new alt mode. Specifically the Mad Max-ish truck that was spotted in Chicago back in early August. The Imagination Studios posted info without any sources or details to attempt to vet its veracity. Just add it to the theory pile along with the rest (the Ferrari, the Fire Truck, etc) for which vehicle is for which character.

Next, a source tells me that today began the casting process for extras for when TF3 shows up at the Kennedy Space Center. Specifically it was for "badged" employees at the center so not really for the general public. Sounds like work is going to get a lot cooler for a select few. Update: An added note is around 600+ Space Center employees were at the extras casting call with the intent to use them sometime during the September 29th to October 7th date range of the shoot in Florida.

To swing things back to Detroit, The Detroit Times blog is reporting that filming in the city is schedule to end on October 1st. Filming will continue along a "three-block stretch of Griswold. The Griswold stretch, from State Street, past Capitol Park and up to Clifford Street, looked like a war zone, with charred cars flipped everywhere, building burned out, and broken concrete scattered. It was really cool to walk through." This was the location that J1000 and Surge29 captured their images and video. Filming along that stretch will wrap over the weekend.

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TF3 Detroit: Downtown with the Big Gun and Bayhem

The area around the Farwell Building in Detroit and the Clifford and Woodward area was invaded today by Transformers 3 production. Most of the Autobot vehicles showed up along with the gigantic gun/jet prop, and the cast. Part of the filming appears to be a continuation of the scene from last week with Shia and Rosie on the prop sharing a hug then later that night which brought some more Bayhem boom to the set (video below). Thanks to J1000 and Surge29 we have two galleries of pictures and videos to enjoy from the day. The set report, first set of pics and last videos are from J1000. The second set of pics and 1st video is from Surge29.

Lots of great stuff going on today; Shia and Rosie were filming on the TF Jet prop (which now appears to definitely not be an "arm" or anything like that, as it was sitting street-level as they climbed on and off of it in front of the deli/liquor store set on Clifford. They were also shooting at the Farwell building with probably close to 100 (maybe more) extras running to the center of the intersection, as they were preparing to blow out a store front there. Towards the end of the evening, as the guys that haul the Autobots around were packing them up for the night, they were very cool and gave me a chance to get some pics of my son with Bumblebee and Sideswipe; then, one of the guys gave my son a NEST logo sticker that they actually us on the vehicles! What a cool souvenir! As you can see in the pic, he's super excited about that! I also noticed the classic silver Mercedes in the hauler that has been seen on other sets. I had my wife and kids with me, and we even got a mention in the local paper (Detroit Free Press), who was there covering some of the goings-on.

J1000

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TF3 Detroit: Transformers at Central Station

J1000 returns with more pictures and video of Transformers 3 production in Detroit. Today brought cast and crew, along with basically all of the Autobot Transformers vehicles including the Wreckers, Twins, Ironhide, Prime (with trailer), etc to Michigan Central Station. At same time the crew was putting the finishing touches on the Clifford and Woodward faked store front set while adding the huge Transformers jet thingy prop from last week. J1000's report, pictures and 9 videos below speak for themselves.

Things are full speed ahead in Detroit now! They were filming at Michigan Central Station most of the day, followed by a quick trip over to the Packard Plant in the late evening for some other shots. The downtown sets should be shooting tomorrow; the Deli/Liquor store they've been setting up at Clifford and Woodward now has the Transformer Jet prop assembled in front of it; they were putting it together around lunch time (the engines were still at Packard at that point), and had it assembled when I came back by around 5PM. At Central Station, they were filming Shia, and I think Duhamel and Tyrese and possibly Hardcore Eddie, as well.

The Wreckers were being filmed racing across the front of the Station, while Ratchet was positioned at the left side door, and tires could be heard squealing inside the station. They were shooting closeups of the NEST squad and Shia on the right side of the station. After they wrapped at Central for the day, I heard a crew member's radio say they had to rush over to Packard; I got some great HD video shots of them leaving, and then arriving at Packard. I caught a glimpse (and pic) of a second Optimus cab inside the gates (I've seen doubles of the other cars, but not Optimus yet). As they were filming at Packard, there were a few small explosions. Tyrese's Chevelle drove by, and a bit later, Ironhide and the Twins finally arrived on a car hauler! Exciting day here in Detroit! Stay Tuned!

J1000

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TF3 Detroit: Set Prep and Transformers

J1000 is back on the case with information, pictures and video of the various shooting locations being used as production continues its possible final week in Detroit. It seems the Transformers 3 performed more infrastructure repair as several abandoned locations have been spruced up to look like stores fronts for filming. If missing a look at your favorite Autobot, he also has that covered with a few pictures of Prime, Bumblebee, and few others.

Today, I got to "Roll out" with Optimus and Ratchet, as I followed them from the Packard Plant to a new location [video below] (The Connor Creek Detroit Edison Plant; nothing really to be seen here, as it's fairly well isolated from the surrounding area. It's the large plant with two smoke stacks in the pics). I got a chance to get some great pics of all the Autobots that were present as well. There were two Bumblebees, two Sideswipes, two Ferraris, and two of the Benzs. They were being washed and prepped for shooting. They were also filming at the Fisher Building downtown today.

There's a set being finished up at Clifford and Woodward, where they've built what looks like a fake subway entrance/stairwell type thing in the street, and have been decorating a building for a few days. Today they painted "Park in Rear" and some arrows on it. Right next door to it, they have decorated the vacant former Michigan National Bank building to look like a lingerie store window front (presumably something that matches Chicago). The building is vacant/empty if you look in through the front doors. I'm not sure if the "Cobras Club - Gentleman's club" is part of the set or not, though it may be, as the name is spelled wrong on one side of the sign). Also, Central Station was getting A/V/Power cable wrapped all around it as they prepped it for shooting on the outside (they've been doing interior work for at least a week now). Filming will be taking place in several areas over the rest of the week.

J1000

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TF3 Chicago: More Images the Windy City

After spending a few posts in Detroit, here are more pictures from Chicago from around July 23rd when filming was at the Old Post Office Building thanks to Edward G.. Like the previous set, there are images of the building set as the United States Department of Health and Human Services but also some great close-up looks at the new Sideswipe, the Ferrari and Bumblebee.

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TF3 Detroit: Bay's Big Guns

Transformers 3 continues to film in Detroit at the Packard Plant, this time with the huge engine looking prop spotted at the location a few weeks ago. Thanks once again to J1000 we have images and video of the likely stunt doubles for Shia and Rosie work on the prop along with Michael Bay prepping for the scene. The videos show the pair as Carly jumps from the potted plant ledge to Sam's arms while the ship/guns/turbines/whatever moves. The bluescreen makes me think this is an arm or something of a bigger Transformer.

According to a post at TFW2005, the scene involves Sam "jumping from the ship to a building." A Don Murphy member and set extra sigma1 also claimed to know what the shoot was for. Of note is the invoking of Wheeljack ("Einstein") as a TF cast member but that remains unverified. Thanks to Udana for the link.Read More »

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TF3 Detroit: Fire and Transformers (Updated)

Transformers 3 production continues in Detroit and here are pictures and two videos to go with it. The Transformers spotted on set include Ironhide, Ratchet, Prime with Trailer, Decepticon truck, the Wreckers, Sideswipe and more. That doesn't necessarily mean they are all being used as part of the whatever is being filmed at the Packard Plant as this is roving filming caravan that brings everything they need for the duration of the entire schedule, not necessarily what they need at one particular location.

Below are pictures from J1000 (thanks) and a few images and pictures that Unicron.com posted. The rest of their huge gallery can be found here. The two short videos from the site show the crew working at the nearby Packard Hotel including a friendly wave from Tyrese Gibson.

Update: Added five more pictures from J1000 with his son of Decepticon armored car and a Chicago police car, corrected a typo on his name (sorry), and added his video of some of the sizable smoke cloud being generated by the set.

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On the Road with Twins and Turturro Theory

It has been a bit slow on the news from as Transformers 3 production remains shut down due to the Gabriella Cedillo's on set injury. A recent update from her brother indicates that she does remain unconscious but is moving in her sleep so at least a hopeful sign of recovery.

Having said that, the show must go as Transformers' Twins and the old Bumblebee Datsun where spotted being transported towards Detroit with pictures. Safe to assume that the rest of the vehicles are on their way there. However, there have been no announcements on exactly when filming resumes.

On a vaguely related note, TFW2005 has a new theory on Agent Simmons status in Transformers 3. They have put forth the theory that Simmons has become rich by writing books (one assumes based on his Sector 7 experiences). The idea seems to be based on the back alley video with John Turturro where he is dressed in a suit near a white vehicle identified as a Maybach 625 Landaulet which can cost in the neighborhood of $1.3 million.

This is further supported by three videos from the Chicago Navy Pier that shows off the car with John Turturro and other Autobots including the (recently recalled) Ferrari 458 Italia. No date on when filmed but assume sometime last month before the accident. I would be scare to death of driving a car that expensive. The cost of repairing a dent would probably pay for someone's entire college education. Not sure what a rich Agent Simmons would mean for the TF3 story but anything involving his character is probably going to be mined for humor. Thanks to Katie and DJ Bigtyme Beats for the info.



Navy Pier 2 | Navy Pier 3

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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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