Transformers: DOTM Featurette Clips: Casting Sentinel, Chicago, Skydiving

The official twitter account for DOTM has posted three new clips (below) to promote the January 31st release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Combo pack and Limited Edition Trilogy set. The first clip provides a look at the inspiration and casting for Sentinel Prime, more from filming in Chicago, and a look at the sky diving stuntmen. The clips and links to other released featurette clips below.

ATT-ATT | Sentinel Prime Design | Chicago Set Prep | 3D Effects

Chicago Call Sheet For Ultra Magnus

Thanks to Sam, below are images of a call sheet for filming in Chicago on July 27-28th, 2010 "with" Megatron and Ultra Magnus. Early this year a redacted call sheet was posted online with Magnus listed as a character. While not the same sheet this does further confirm that for at least a while the character of Sentinel Prime was going to be called Ultra Magnus. Test screening apparently drove the change from Ultra Magnus to Sentinel Prime. According to Sam, the head of what would have been Ultra Magnus was re-used as what the Apollo 11 astronauts step on and uncover as they explore the ship.

Transformers 3 Cable Swing Comparisons

Last August, Transformers: Dark of the Moon was filming at a Chicago parking deck and Wabash Avenue that thanks to the Iridescent trailer (among others) we know was where they filmed the confrontation between Starscream and Sam. At the time the images shows Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel (along with stunt doubles) flyng around on wires along with Sam wearing a "power glove" of sorts, which Jeff of Pixel Rally managed to capture. From that trailer and the pictures he has now created another gallery of images that compare what he saw last year with what is now on camera. Some of the comparisons have been tweaked to help with the imagery.

The left and two images below is a mix of his photos from then mixed with the trailer images. The fourth images is a track-move diagram. Jeff wrote, "Michael Bay set up a stereoscopic 3D camera that moves along a rail, and goes underneath two flipped cars... It was used to follow soldiers running, as it tracked along with them, and ended up at a 3rd overturned vehicle, where it filmed close-up on Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (who were hiding inside the flipped truck)." The last image is the spot Jeff took many of his pictures from and it is possible that during the scene when Bumblebee "catches" Shia and Josh, a speck of his head can be seen in the background. If you want Jeff's gallery of images from the parking deck filming and more, click here.

NY Times Profile on DOTM Chicago Filming, Shockwave

New York Times has posted an article that discusses Shockwave and the scenes that were filmed in Chicago last summer with Transformers: Dark of the Moon director Michael Bay and Visual Effects Supervisor Scott Farrar. Among the highlights I found interesting is the middle base jumpers in the scenes we have seen is computer generated "since he has to land on Shockwave's shoulder." At the time I figured that scene would be 3D post-converted but it turns out the camera man that trailed the base jumpers had a small 3-D camera on his head.

Some filming occurred at 35 East Wacker Drive, specifically the Jeweler's Building which is described as playing "a significant role in the last part" of the film. The articles mentioned that in its first few years of existence (circa 1881) it had car sized elevators at street level for security reasons. After all leaving your car then made you more vulnerable. The article just drops in this historical anecdote for some reason so figure it might become useful once see the film.

DOTM News: Possible Running Time, Iridescent Release Date & Boom

Three quick stories around Transformers: Dark of the Moon about estimated running time, release date for Iridescent single and video from Chicago set that I don't recall seeing before.

Dutch website Pathe Cinema's page on DOTM put the movie's running time at 1 hour and 49 minutes. However, Nelson later debunked that writing, "False. It's over 2 hours." For Hollywood, 2 hours or less is the sweet spot with going past 2 and half hours only for good reasons. Guess we will find out soon where DOTM falls in that range. (via TFW2005, thanks to Sahara for the link)

It seems that the first single from the Transformers: Dark of the Moon soundtrack will officially be the remix of Linkin Park's Iridescent. No surprise. It also seems that release is coming up soon as Amazon UK lists the release date as May 16th, while iTunes has it at May 22nd and Amazon US shows a date of May 17th. So what we learned is the single may or may not be out sometime in the next two weeks.

So you know that scene in the trailer where Prime comes in swooping in and tears through the Decepticon ranks? Pretty sure the video below from Chicago last year is when that scene was filmed. Thanks to Jeff of Pixel Rally for the link.
Update: Thanks to Ian here is a little confirmation as he took a still from the trailer that matches the car flip at about the 49 second point in the video below.

Fire Truck Is Ultra Magnus? (Updated)

An image posted on the Michael Bay Forums has added more confusion to the issue of what Transformer the Rosenbauer Panther airline fire truck seen in Chicago is. Set rumors and a toy listing indicated the character is Sentinel Prime but the image of a redacted call sheet now adds Ultra Magnus as a convincing candidate. It could even be one or both of these characters are pure CGI creations much like most of the Decepticons. As always, only time will tell. Thanks to Sam for the link.

Update: From Max in the comments, another call sheet image that once again references Ultra Magnus where it says "VFX:" near the bottom.

Transformers 3 Set Report, Teaser Online Debut Time

This Friday, the teaser trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon will debut with the next Chronicles of Narnia movie in both 2D and 3D (or next week with Tron). If you don't want to wait that long, then Apple Trailers has you covered with the official launch occurring at 4PM PST (7PM EST) on Wednesday, December 8th. Entertainment Tonight was rumored to be airing a sneak peak earlier today but apparently that didn't happen. Assuming the teaser trailer description is accurate, expect an emphasis on "tease".

This news comes from a new set report from Aint It Cool News' Capone from when Dark of the Moon was filming in Chicago in August. This set report begins by going into the recent rumor that the film was having real 3D problems by describing what he actually saw on set and how much nonsense the report is (for the same reasons I dismissed the idea). From the report:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon ET Report

Entertainment Tonight has posted their article of video of the behind the scenes report from the Chicago set of Transformers 3. The video includes set footage, explosions and the sales pitch of the movie from Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson, and Josh Duhamel. Pretty much no spoilers are revealed but the title does drop a "the" with official title being "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" which oddly enough does make a difference. If want to get a little meta, thanks to Colin Hinkle for the picture of behind the scenes of ET filming behind the scenes of TF:DOTM with Samantha Harris in the yellow dress. Also thanks to Teddy83 for the link.

"I think what we were lacking in the second movie was heart," says Shia about the last installment of the blockbuster franchise, 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.' "But, I think with the addition of Rosie and new characters … you still have the magic of the first film, but you have depth in the ending of the third."

"Sam's coming out of heartbreak," explains Shia about the film's emotional center. "He's looking for a rock. He's looking for stability. He's looking for a person who doesn't love him because of his involvement in the wars, or because of his involvement with the robots. … And, so he's looking to define himself and find a person who understands the definition and loves him for him, and he finds it in Rosie."

"The story, I think, is really rich," says Michael. "This is kind of a good old fashioned, kinda espionage 'Transformers' movie." He adds, "I just told Mayor Daley that I'm sorry about messing up his city."

Transformers 3 Chicago Nostalgia (Updated)

Tomorrow night Entertainment Tonight will air a report from the Transformers: The Dark of the Moon Chicago set. This seems like a good time to flashback to some of the sites from around the Windy City through the lens of Jeffrey Marshall of Pixel Rally who brought us much of the images we saw from the filming back in July and August. Below is the second ET commercial for their report and also select images from his image gallery. It is worth clicking to as he provides little bits of info on what the image is about and who is in it. The highlights include some Bayhem, close-up of the 3D viewing setup, giant blue robot head, and more. Thanks to Jeffrey for the pictures.

Update: Added third ET TF3 commercial below.

TF3 Nostalgia Set | Full Pixel Rally TF3 Chicago Set

Tyrese Wrapped on Transformers 3?

If you are keeping an eye on the Detroit sets hoping to glimpse Tyrese forget about it as his tweets indicate he has wrapped on filming Transformers 3. It seems he has moved on to the Fast and Furious 5 set. The most recent photo shows him at a beach side home. On the bright side he did leave us with this sweet picture of Optimus Prime that he tweeted with message "Can you see me in the window?". The picture was later removed but thanks to Charlotte we still can get a look. I guess there is nothing stopping in from returning to TF3 at a later location (say Florida) but that seems unlikely as rare for films to allow their star schedules to overlap like that as can cause unintended schedule conflicts that cost money.

More Chicago Galleries

Filming continues in Detroit but pictures from Chicago still keep appearing online that are worth checking out. Chiphoto has posted two galleries from when filming occured at the Wabash Avenue and Lake Street parking deck around August 18th that involved cars being tossed of it, buses going boom and more. The pic to the left is just a little sample, click here and here for the rest of the sizable galleries that show the helicopters in action and a rooftop down look on the action. Thanks to Rick for the link.

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.

TF3 Chicago: More from Post Office Set (Updated)

While Transformers 3 films in Detroit, here are more images thanks to Sam Nickelson from around July 23rd when TF3 was in Chicago at the Old Post Office Building filming. As he reported before, the building was dressed as part of the US Department of Health and Human Services and it seems they have quite the vehicle fleet as it’s not just a few trucks dressed with the logo but SUVs, cars, and big wheelers. Also, he took a few picks of the props used there including, in the first image, an odd looking gray shaped thing. If it was a part of a Transformer, I would think it would be CGI blue so not really sure what to make of it.

Update: Thanks to Colin Hinkle below are three more images he took of the weird object. As he reminded me, we actually saw it from a post for the July 18th when filming was occurring near The Chicago Tribune. There is also a video that briefly shows it. I guess that means it is building debris, very real in design between the crane and the resulting crushed car. Usually the set debris is essentially skillfully painted Styrofoam that weighs next to nothing.

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

Transformers 3 Finished in Chicago

Transformers 3 is now officially finished filming in Chicago. This is based on a recorded message to the Transformers 3 extras hotline, according to Collecticon.org.

Hi everyone with heavy hearts we are leaving the Chicago area. As of right now there is no further filming scheduled for the Chicago area. We would like to thank each and everyone of you for your time, energy, patience, and hard work on the set.

We will all think fondly of you and we hope to all cross paths again. Thank you everyone.

Thursday was supposed to be a the final day with "grand finale" of sorts with rooftop pyrotechnics, parachuting and more but that was cancelled due to the incident in Indiana that resulted in the injury of an extra. That is under investigation and for now production is halted. That in turn has probably wrecked the shooting schedule resulting in production being unable to return to Chicago.

Transformers 3 Final Day in Chicago Details

It turns out that Transformers 3 just cannot quit the city of Chicago as production is returning tomorrow to film at Millennium Park, Wacker Drive, and Midway Plainsance with ground and rooftop pyrotechnics. Sadly, this is the last schedule day for production in Chicago. Maybe.

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.

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

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.

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.