MPEA Busway Set Pics, Explosions and More

On Wednesday, it seems that Transformers 3 production spent its day at the MPEA Busway under Millennium Park. The sequence involved explosions, smoke and flame effects and what appears to be a completed destroyed section of the highway, matching the devastated look that has been the hallmark of many of the Chicago sets. Pixel Rally was at the site and provided a gallery of images both during the day and night of the set and a good look at the Optimus Prime truck and trailer. Below are a few sample images, the rest of the set can be found here.

As for the videos, below are videos from various locations around Chicago, not even sure where but assume the Wacker Drive area. The first three videos may be from the Busway but not clear. Based on the Transformers cars filmed including Optimus with his trailer, this seems to be a continuation of the Nascar vs. Autobots chase scene that marked the first week of filming. Of special note is the third video that shows that the Twins do make it to Chicago. After that we have two more videos that show the rooftop pyrotechnics that were set off on Tuesday night. The last video involves a massive explosion at a third location and the sound of gun fire. If don't feel like scrolling down, the Movie Chronicles have them all.

TF3 Chicago: Bay Thanks Chicago and More

Transformers 3 production continues in Chicago near at Michigan Street Bridge. Worst Previews has posted photos that indicates that the 1972 yellow Datsun 510 from the Milwaukee Art Museum filming was spotted in Chicago filming scenes. Patrick Dempsey, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Shia LaBeouf are wearing the same costumes from then so this potentially confirms that the Datsun is Bumblebee in disguise and apparently that "Hotchkiss Gould Investments" is located in downtown Chicago. Thanks to DJ BigTyme Beats for the link.

Thanks to Jonnyroobs and his friend Ed for the pictures below that includes a look at the sets and more shots of the Transformers vehicles. Below that is a video of the live streams as they show some of the filming that occurred close by. Thanks to Shockwaved for the video link. Last, Seibertron.com has posted more images and two videos that show off the various vehicles and confirm that NEST have a truck as a mobile command center.

CBS Chicago was able to get close with Michael Bay and some of the cast and they gave a thank you to the city for putting up with the traffic problems the filming has caused for the city. Bay also revealed that Chicago is the setting for the final battle of the film. Does that mean any missing characters died in the course of the movie?

Transformers 3's Friday Return to Chicago

Friday brought the return of Transformers 3 to Chicago along Michigan Avenue aka the Magnificent Mile. It seems that Friday was mostly a low key day of filming with the actors, which now includes Josh Duhamel, running all over the set to film scenes along the spectacularly devastated street in front of the Wrigley Building. Apparently much of the action and pyrotechnics is going to occur on Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully the live streams will continue to allow us to catch some of that action.

Thanks to Colin Hinkle below is a fantastic video that shows a scene being filmed involving Bumblebee, Shia LaBeouf, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely among the rubble as they go running to the car for a quick escape. Click here for his other video from last week's shoot with shows all the Transformers vehicles driving by as they film a scene. On top of that he provided the below images of the set on fire, the crew prepping, Patrick Dempsey, Shia, Rose, and Michael Bay on set and more.

Also below are links to a news report from WGN TV that shows Chicagoans are taking the traffic and pedestrian issues in stride, Seibertron's seven videos that show a little bit of the set and Ratchet in action along with their 245 image gallery.

Day 1 of the Transformers 3 Chicago Invasion

If you are a huge Transfan, then Day 1 in Chicago for Transformers 3 production has already set your heart a flutter as Optimus Prime has his trailer again, complete with G1 shaped striped and Autobot logo. On top of that fans have already supplied pictures of Ironhide, Bumblebee, the red Ferrari 458 Italia, Ratchet three fully weaponized Nascar vehicles (Stunticons?), likely the Twins and more. In addition, thanks to Jeffrey, we have images of a Chicago street dressed for war, or at least its aftermath. Below are sample images, and a YouTube video. For more images and videos from the Transformers invasion in Chicago hit the links below. Thanks to Katie, Christopher, and cypherXR for the links.

New Ratchet, Ironhide, and Planes

A US Army Sky Warriors member posted to flickr a few pics of the Transformers 3 vehicles while waiting to film. The images show off the new color scheme of Ratchet, what looks like a modified version of Ironhide, a little of Optimus Prime, and planes. No idea what is being filmed nor where as no location is provided.

TF3: Optimus Prime, Repainted Ratchet, and Ironhide Spotted (Updated)

A relatively new images was found by Waveride with Optimus Prime and Ratchet in a flatbed. The image and tweet from Staci424 says "Look what was parked at th lake this wkend. Its vehicles from the Transformers movie! He is a driver for Paramount." Ratchet seems to have undergone a color change switching out his yellow for "lime-flavored toothpaste" as Christopher described it when he provided the link (thanks!).

Additional tweets from Staci provides another image and a little background. Apparently the images were taken in Oklahoma as the driver was passing through on the way to a road show in Texas. Not sure what to make of the color change but it at least verifies that both characters are in the movie (as if there was any real doubt).



Update: Added picture of Ironhide from shalim with message "Check out these transformers trucks cruising on the 405. By the engraved Decepticon logo, it must be from the film." I believe he is referring to Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) in California and meant the Autobot logo. Link provided from the comments.

TF Linkfest - Masterpieces, Donald Duck and More

Another linkfest, more images of up and coming Transformers and a look back at the toy line from 1986.

Masterpiece Ghost Starscream
Click the link to check out a yet another version of Masterpiece Starscream. Same toy from around five years ago, but now with clear plastic. I think this makes for the fifth or sixth version which can get tiresome. Still this is a pretty sweet looking version. Currently a Japan exclusive, available sometime in June.

Night Ops Ratchet Gallery
Gallery of the new repaint for Ratchet, now in a military type paint scheme.

Hasbro 1996 ToyFair Catalog
From The Allspark and TFWiki is the above gallery that shows off the Transformers from 1986 in all their glory. Apparently the images show some differences from the final versions that hit store shelves but I don't know for sure what those differences are.

Disney Label Donald Duck
Click the link to view a gallery of the Japan exclusive toy that has Donald Duck mixed with a little Bumblebee that has an alt mode of a Bug. Or check out the video below that shows off the toy. It’s a bit long; some of it tedious, so up to you’re to decide which way to check out this new toy that I believe is out now.

New ROTF Set and More (Updated)

From TFW2005's S250 is three new images of upcoming toys all really just repaints of existing toys. The ROTF toys are fiery The Fallen in his Target packaging, and the other is "Surface to Air Showdown" set that contains Desert Tracker Ratchet and Grindor. The Transformers Universe line will get a new addition with another repaint of Classic line Silverbolt, this time called Skyfall and will be a Wal-Mart exclusive.



Update: New galleries are online for Skyfall and Fallen.
Burning The Fallen | Skyfall

New Transformer Wallpaper

Hasbro has posted new wallpaper images Transformer 2 characters including Sideswipe, Megatron, Prime and more. Below are the 800x600 size of each but additional sizes and more wallpaper from Transformers: Animated can be found here. Thanks to Crisp for the link.

Ratchet Bio, Concession Cups and the Twins

It’s a day of the week so time for more toy pictures. This time TF08.net brings us a gallery of Mudflap and Skids, a look at Ratchet's bio (below), and via Collider a sample of Transformer concession stand cups seen at a ShoWest display that may or may not be found at a theatre near you soon. Thanks to Phil for the links.

Twins, Ratchet bio, more FABs
Concession Cups

Voyager Ratchet Bio

Racing across the dunes of the northern Sahara Desert, the roar of this engine echoing off the ever-shifting dunes, Autobot Ratchet charges toward the inevitable confrontation with Megatron and his assembled Decepticon army. Though he has battled against odds this bad in the past, no fight before has meant so much. He knows the fate of the universe rests on the outcome of this conflict, and he will do everything in his power to see to it that his allies come through it safe and victorious.

Combined Keychain, More Mixmaster and Ratchet

More stuff from the Transformers 2 toy line.

Yesterday was the first image of the "Power Up" Optimus Prime and Jetfire combiner leak. Joining that leak is a look, from TFW2005, at the keychain that a few months ago helped confirm that a combine mode was planned for the two characters. The greater detail that the static keychain allows indicates that while the toy is not that impressive, the CGI version (assuming this combined mode is film inspired) will be awesome to behold.

Next is a reminder that Ratchet is supposed to be in the film with an eBay auction for Voyager class version of the character. Other then looking like a brighter shade of lime, it seems to be the same toy as the first movie.

Last is another gallery for Voyager Mixmaster that can found here. His robot mode doesn't impressive me at all but I really like the vehicle mode.

Thanks to Phil for the links.

Transformers 2 CGI Art Work (Update 2)

It took a while but finally some new CGI artwork of the some of the characters for Transformers 2 has appeared online. Some of the CGI in the gallery is old but much is brand new. Thanks to Ken and David for the link.

Update: Added the image in the left created by D-M0de (thanks!) for those that like the idea of the Twins running for their lives. Good for wallpaper or imagining such a scene in the movie.

Update 2: D-M0de provided the below two pictures to replace the previous Twins chase image. Uses the below CGI images along with Photoshop magic to tell a better story.

By D-M0de


Devastator


Ironhide


Megatron


Ratchet


Ravage


Sideswipe


Starscream


The Fallen


The Twins