More DOTM Concept Art

Another concept artist, Wesley Burt, has posted his work from Transformers: Dark of the Moon, joining the other four artists who posted their efforts. His art includes early designs for Igor, Wheeljack, and Laserbeak along with potential concepts for the various craft and Prime's trailer. Click here for the full gallery. (via Seibertron)

Concept Art for Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Updated)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon concept artists Josh Nizzi, Joel Chang and Warren Manser have each posted concept art from the movie on their websites. Among the interesting tidbits it reveals is the near use of Steeljaw (called Warpath) and that Shockwave and Soundwave probably had other Decepticon codenames to prevent the leaking of details about the characters assuming the art didn't leak. Shockwave was being called Blitzwing while Soundwave was being called Breakdown but the artwork makes it very clear who they were going to be. Driller was being called Colossus but I am betting Marvel owns that name so couldn't get it cleared. Of the group, I think Nizzi's art is my favorite. If a Transformers 4 (reboot or continuation) is made and only one of this team can be brought back, I hope it is Josh Nizzi as he has shown the most command of Transformers design over the years. Below are sample of my more favorite pieces but make sure to hit the links for much more art.
Update: Aaron Sims, another DOTM concept artist, has now posted his TF3 work online.

Transformers 3 Skydiving Stunt Videos and More

While many Transfans were distracted by all the cool Transformers vehicles including Prime with his trailer hitting the Chicago streets for Transformers 3, a few were in position to film the skydiving stunt that used Lake Shore East Park as a landing zone. The three videos (below) show five guys jumping from a helicopter and using their "squirrel suits" to guide them to landing zones around the park. Congrats to the stuntmen for a smooth and safe landings. The fourth video, from ScreenRant, shows off new NEST costumes, a look at the three Nascar vehicles, and another look at the skydiving stunt. Thanks to Katie, Rob, and Mauricio for the links.

One last news are these images, thanks to Bill and Angie T., that show off what appears to be a new Decepticon vehicle, described by the photographer Cameron W. as "the frame of the Tahoe, made of rubber ...for a jump scene". Maybe the same one tested in LA last month? They also show off some of the set vehicles including a beat up yellow cars and Chicago police cars.

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.

First Look at Bumblebee Changes

New images popped up on Megan-Fox.net that seem to be more images from Fox's Transformers 3 set visit. This time they show off more of Bumblebee, giving us a look at some of the tweaks for the 2011 Chevy Camaro which will not be the rumored convertible. Below are a few images, the full gallery of twelve images can be found here.

Some of the changes according to TFW2005:
- A Carbon fiber Splitter on top of the roof of the new Camaro.
- New Side-Windows. (They are more "Pointy" than previous versions)
- New set of Rims previously unseen in Movie 1 and 2.
- New, much more open cut to keep the brakes of the Rear Tires cool.
- Black Stripes are now also on the roof of the car and carry a completely new design.
- New Side-Skirts.
- Newly added Front Splitter.
- Redesigned Fog Lights with a Guard.
- Overall Streamlined Design mimicking Chevrolet Stingray Concept (Sideswipe) with Carbon fiber Side Mirrors.
- A Rear Carbon fiber Spoiler.

I know nothing about cars so assume these are solid improvements to the vehicle. It will probably be awhile before we see how those modifications translate the Bumblebee's robot mode.

Megan Fox on Transformers 3 Set

SuperheroHype has scored five pictures of Megan Fox arriving somewhere in LA for "previz shots" for Transformers 3. It also appears the Bumblebee Camaro is on hand.

I am a bit confused by the previz note as typically pre-viz is basic computer animation of a director's vision, as needed, for scenes in a movie. Actor involvement is typically not necessary in producing them. The remaining four images, which show the lovely Fox walking and waving at people across the parking lot, can be found here. Principle photography for TF3 is expected to start in a week or two in LA. Thanks to Charlo for the link.

Update:Superherohype pulled or moved the article so the links no longer work, click here instead to view the images.

Transformers 3 in Guam (Updated)

From ComicBookMovie.com is news from an US Airman ("supershaggy") that Transformers 3 production will be visiting the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

We all know how much Michael Bay loves to use the military in his movies and Transformers 3 will be no different. But this time he is coming to Guam and Andersen AFB. I'm an Airman in the worlds greatest air, space and cyberspace force on Guam. I received an email stating that Dreamworks is looking for 20 airmen from Andersen to be extras.

That is all the info provided so no indications on when the shoot could occur or for what scenes. Since production is heaving overseas to Africa, Moscow and China, a stop in Guam isn't out of the question. Thanks to Katie for the link.

Update: Andersen Air Force Base has responded to the rumor of a visit from TF3 production. “It’s just a rumor,” said Andersen spokesman Tech. Sergeant Mike Andriacco. That was quick response and probably a bit of a drag for any Transfans in Guam. Best get used to it, with production about to start the rumors are going to be flying fast and loose.

Bumblebee To Become a Convertible in TF3?

A new rumor has appeared on the Camaro5 Message Boards suggesting that Bumblebee might become a convertible for Transformers 3. tmurphycardesign writes:

as ive mentioned before im a designer in cadillac, and today i had to make a run downstairs to the shops, and what do i see..the transformers 3 bumblebee...and i gotta say it looks pretty badass! i think u guys are gonna be really excited when u see it! i guess were shipping it out real soon because they are goin to be shooting it within a week or so..either way it looks real good

The reason for the belief that a convertible is in the cards is due to GM's tease of the 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible. It would not be much of a leap to provide Bumblebee with that mode considering they are already tweaking his design for the 2011 film. Bumblebee looking like the 2011 Chevy in time for it to hit car lots means a lot of potential sales to GM, something they still desperately need. The idea is also supported by the Transformers: ROTF Autobot scale guide that indicates a 2008 Chevy Camaro Convertible was considered as an alt mode. Hopefully once TF3 filming officially starts in a month or so we will get confirmation of this rumor. Thanks to Christopher for all the links.

Transformers 3 In Gary, Indiana and Dodge Decepticon? (Updated)

Two pieces of information have popped up online regarding Transformers 3 via Slashfilm. One is about Transformers 3 shooting in Gary, Indiana while the other is the possibility of a Decepticon Dodge Charger being used in the film. Maybe it’s an odd April Fool's prank or maybe it is real.

The first piece is based on information from a tweet from Production Weekly:

A pre-vis scene for "Transformers 3" will shoot at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana on April 12th.

This isn't the first time I saw a reference to Gary, Indiana as an anonymous comment in the Magnificent Mile post said something similar but was written two hours before the tweet:

Their also going to start filming April 12 in Gary Indiana. They said the autobots cars will be their and it will be a closed set. =( Maybe someone could get some shots:)

The second bit of information comes from Realm Toys with a brief set report and pictures of a possible Decepticon judging by the logo on the front of the Dodge Charger. The images were taken from Playa Vista, the same location as a previous set report. Their source writes:

I was doing my normal rounds on the lot and came across the Transformers 3 work. All the stuff that you guys had reported SuperHeroHype had was there and more! The main Transformers cars are all there including 2 that I didn’t see in the previous movies. One is a autobot that I couldn’t get close enough to take a picture of because it was being guarded so that it would not be scratched/ damaged. It was a red Ferrari. The other (which wasn’t being guarded as heavily) is a decepticon. It was a dark navy Dodge Charger. I managed to snap a couple of pics with my cell. Sorry for the poor quality.

I honestly don't know how to attempt to judge this new information. It sounds plausible but this is the first time Indiana has been mentioned as associated with Transformers 3. Michael Bay didn't mention the state in his update but I don't expect him to list all his locations. April 12th is only a few weeks away so it will not take long to find out if this is true or not.

As for the Dodge Charger, it could be the car of a diehard fan or it could be part of the movie. Decepticons with automobile alt modes is now a tradition of the movie franchise with Barricade in the first movie and Sideways in the sequel. Too early to judge one way or another.

One way or the other though, it seems the fun world of speculation, rumors, and more is about to officially kick off for Transformers 3. Like the previous two films, it will be interesting to see how much turns out to be right and how much doesn't. Thanks to Kris for the link.

Update: Well the Gary rumor just got real with a report from Post-Tribune:

The city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved a filming permit for the movie at its meeting Wednesday. Controller Celita Green said filming will take place April 12 on industrial property owned by Majestic Star Casino at Buffington Harbor. The scene will be shot during daylight hours, Green said, and will involve a crew of about 60 people. Al Cohn, the film's location manager, said the set will be closed to the public.

...Green said the movie crew will shoot a "rather simple scene" portraying vehicles approaching the industrial property. The scene is meant to take place in Ukraine. Larry Buck, Majestic Star's general manager, said the movie crew will film at the former Lehigh cement plant on his company's property. None of the principal stars of the movie, including John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, is expected to be on the set.

However, Cohn wouldn't rule out further scenes being filmed in Gary in the future. "If we do, it will probably be more with the principal unit," Cohn said.

It sounds like second unit will be filming the scenes which sounds like an establishing shot for later action. The image of the Majestic and link from TFW2005's GabrielPrime.

Transformers 3 to Film at Magnificent Mile

Thanks to Michael Bay we know that Transformers 3 will film in Chicago at some point and now the Collecticon.org is reporting where in the city.

We all know that Transformers 3 is being filmed in Chicago amongst other locations around the country and the world thanks to a recent post by Michael Bay. The dream came one step closer to reality for Chicago Transfans as Collecticon.org received confirmation from an un-named source that businesses along Michigan Avenue are being pre-emptively notified of an upcoming shoot for the movie.

The phrase "Magnificent Mile" refers to a portion of North Michigan Avenue. I know nothing about Chicago but Google Maps might help give you an idea that is under discussion for the film.

Transformers 3 Set Report

Based on the pictures below, it appears that pre-production in Transformers 3 is in full swing with a TF3 set being built at the Playa Vista soundstages. The location has been used before by director Michael Bay for the previous Transformers films.

Here is what SuperHeroHype's source reports:

Well, Transformers 3 is gearing up there. I've attached pics of the sign I stumbled upon at the warddrobe department just to offer a little proof. When I peeked inside, posters for both Transformers were hanging up and clothing racks had tons of military gear hanging from them. Above one rack it read "Iranian Army." Above another rack it read "Ukranian Army" and above a third rack it referred to "Matt" ("Matt's costumes").

There's some big stuff being built here, man. One end of the soundstage had some wooden structures. Another area they were chopping away at styrofoam to create a rocky terrain. And the crew was rolling along something that looked like a giant gear. I breezed on by the "model" shop and, while I couldn't get a good look inside, there were a lot of moon reference photos and NASA moon lander pics. I could have sworn I saw a Transformer, again, didn't get a good look.

To summarize, something may happen on the moon, there could be a character named Matt, and once again the story makes a visit to the Middle East (as indicated by an extras casting call). Thanks to David for the link.

Transformers 3: McDormand, Malkovich and More (Updated)

Michael Bay has dropped by his official forums and posted a very informative update on the progress with Transformers 3 including new casting additions, shooting locations, and a new Autobot car.

Hey, it's been a long time since I've posted. Just been a little busy.

Transformers 3 has been going very well. We are going to shoot in LA, Chicago, Washington DC, Florida, Texas, Africa, Moscow, and China. On the talent front, we just locked in Frances McDormand and John Malkovich. Both amazing actors I've always wanted to work with. We also just got Ken Jeong, he is the super funny actor stuck in the trunk from “Hangover” and the Doctor from “Knocked Up.”

We start shooting pre-shoots in about one month.

I also was at a Ferrari charity event this week raising money for a hospital being built by Ferrari in Haiti. I announced that night the newest Autobot to join Transformers: the Ferrari 458 Italia.

I also want to thank everyone on this site that donated to the Make -A-Wish charity. We raised $20,000 which I will personally be matching. This is a great charity where they make wishes come true for kids who are very ill. We have had many Kids from Make-A-Wish visit us on our Transformers sets and this time we will be posting video of their visits on Transformers 3.

Michael Bay

I assume these additions will be part of the voice cast but that is far from verified. John Malkovich and Francis McDormand have worked together before on Burn After Reading. McDormand might also seem familiar from Fargo and Almost Famous. Malkovich has done many movies playing both villains and heroes including In the Line of Fire, Con Air, and Being John Malkovich just to name a few. I would be shocked if Ken Jeong, aka Senor Change on Community, isn't doing a voice as the Bay has shown he enjoys working with comedians, especially the one that have improv skills. Thanks to NHLfan, Janson and Katie for the link.

Update: According to gossip blog Deadline Hollywood, it appears that Francis McDormand and John Malkovich will appear in the flesh, "McDormand will play a big role, the National Intelligence Director. Malkovich plays Shia's character's first boss." Thanks to Katie and Kris for the info.

Transformers 3 or W4C Concept Art?

Concept art for Transformers has recently hit the web from Transformers video game concept artist Frankell Baramdyka. The images seems to show of various new Cybertron locations and new characters that seems based on the movie art style but could also fit what we have seen so far for Transformers: War for Cybertron video game.

The images initially showed up on Baramdyka's blog (now removed), and spread to various sites including TFW2005 (for images on this post), io9.com and Shogun Gamer.

Another theory, advocated by io9, is that the artist was hired to begin work on the video game version of Transformers 3. That would suggest scenes from Cybertron, not out of the question considering the recent comment from Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner saying the movie would return to "core mythology". Thanks to Avatar, visiting strange new worlds is no longer a bad thing to studios. Still expensive though.

I am leaning to thinking this was War For Cybertron art and not for the movie but its going to be a while before we know for sure. Thanks to Gregory for the link and images. Also to Katie for her link.

Update: Had to remove images per DCMA request from somebody, I assume Paramount or Activision. Can't say who exactly because notified via google. Anyway, if had doubts about the legitimacy of the images, there are none now.

Transformers 3 Casting Begun?

From Siebertron.com there are indications that Transformers 3 may have begun the casting process or at least the costume department is in full swing. This is based on two emails the site received looking for "athletic military guys who are around 6'-6'' & 185-200lbs & ages 18-35. ...The work will basically be still photos in wardrobe for director review." The second email also indicated costumes are being constructed for "Iranian military guys". As far as story beats, not much to go on as a military element is no surprise but it does sound like the Transformers might once again visit the Middle East as they did for the first two films. To read the full details, click here.

Bumblebee, Prime Updated for Transformers 3

It seems like pre-production is in full swing with more news about Transformers 3 coming out. TF3 animation supervisor Scott Benza from ILM provided an update about their pre-production plans including a design "update" to Prime and Bumblebee, working on new robots and more. The full article from SciFi Wire is here.

Highlights:
- Bumblebee is seen has having matured over the years and so will have "subtle changes to his physique" to indicate this.
- Prime will have "more heroic" but "little tiny things" that the average person will not notice but Transfans might.
- The script isn't complete, but they have enough information to start on art and 3-D modeling which can take up to 30 weeks to complete.
- Level of detail for each character, including planned new ones, will depend on how much screen time they will have and any close-ups that might occur.

Bay Teases New Characters, Twists and 3D for TF3

While appearing on Starz' "In the House" last night, the director Michael Bay teased his plans for Transformer 3, why he decided to forego his planned year break from the franchise and confirms that the movie will be in 3D. From MTV:

"The true story is we went to Vegas to celebrate ['Revenge of the Fallen'] crossing the $400 million mark domestic. I said I'm excited to do my small little movie. They said, well we're here to talk about that. I've become friends with these guys that run Paramount and they [told me,] 'We're going to get fired if we don't have a 2011 franchise,' so I'm like you can't let these guys down."

"The economy's been so rough, it's kind of important. When you say yes to movie like this you automatically give 3000 people jobs. 1000 for the toys. 2000 for the filmmaking. I'm going to put [the small film] on hold and do it right after ['Transformers 3']."

"You can't just rehash the old," he explained. "We're adding a lot of new elements. We're adding new characters. We're adding a lot of twists."

Of course, it wouldn't be a chat about an upcoming effects-heavy blockbuster without some discussion of 3-D. Anyone who doesn't think "Avatar" changed the game needs to pay more attention: everyone's been talking about it, considering it, putting plans into action, Bay included.

"It's a process we're testing with some 'Transformers' scenes," he said. "How successful it is with my movie in terms of a lot of real stuff coming out of the frame, real dirt, real complicated little particles coming towards the lens, because hopefully that process will work. I've seen some tests that look great on other movies. I just want to see how it looks on my footage."

Transformers 3 in 3D?

Thanks to the huge success of Avatar in 3D, it seems a movie isn't even allowed to be released without taking advantage of the format. Even the new Clash of the Titans movie is being converted to take advantage of the new found interest in 3D even though it wasn't designed or filmed for the format.

Hoping to ride that 3D train, Paramount seems to be attempting to force Transformers director Michael Bay to film Transformers 3 in 3D. Bay has said last year he thinks 3D is a gimmick saying "The way I shoot is too aggressive for 3D cameras. It’s a time consuming thing. Who knows… It might be a fad. I’m kinda old school. I’m old school because I like to shoot on film. I like anamorphic lenses, and that is old school.”

According to Variety, "there have been discussions among Bay, Paramount and Industrial Light & Magic about going 3D with the pic. The big stumbling block is the extra time required to do production and visual effects in 3D, as the movie's release date is already set. Having the pic post-converted could alleviate that problem."

At the end of the day money talks and Bay is a business man so I wouldn't be surprised if a 3D version is released. This does create some problems though as Bay was worked on both Transformers 1 and 2 almost up to the last minute, something a 3D conversion wouldn't allow. This means that his theoretical one and half year lead to shoot the film and complete post-production, voice work etc has probably shrunk by a good three or so months. Another question is will this impact how Bay shoots the film? Will he embrace 3D or just ignore the conversion and shoot the film the way he planned to begin with? As always time will tell. Thanks to Kris for the link.

Transformers 3 Filming in Chicago?

Pre-production is in full swing for pre-production and it looks like Bay may have made some progress on his location scouting according to an observation from "jamtron". He reports that while driving by Chicago Studio City, he saw a sign for Michael Bay's office indicating that filming may occur at the site and possibly around the city.

Chicago was also one of the cities Bay mentioned he was checking out for the film. As the name suggests, the facility is Chicago, IL and can be used for the movie production with large spaces for set construction and production offices. Recent productions as the site include Prison Break, Wanted and Public Enemies. If the first two movies are any indication, filming on Transformers 3 is likely to being in May or June. Thanks to jamtron for the tip.

Bay: TF3 Location Scouting Begun

Michael Bay has provided to his official website a brief update on his pre-production efforts for Transformers 3 and also assistance he helped provide for the devastation in Haiti. Click here to view images of the team heading to Haiti.

Hello everyone,

Busy scouting - Chicago, Detroit, and Washington D.C. for Transformers last week. Things are going well. The script is feeling very different from the other two. I ended my scout down in Miami this weekend to load my plane with 14 Florida Surgeons, specialists in various fields and flew them down to Haiti. We then returned with a planeload of a team of exhausted Miami Fire rescue. It is proving very difficult for these volunteers to get back home.

They say the news hardly gives the true scope of what really happened. They really feel about 500,000 probably died. One of the worst stories I heard from people down there - because of the huge lack of education in Haiti – when the earthquake struck – everyone ran inside buildings most likely to their graves. The state of Florida is really pulling their weight in this massive effort. Here some pics:

Michael

Bay Talks Sounds, Hints at Transformers 3

While at the Cary Grant Theatre to discuss Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen's sound art, Michael Bay dropped a few a small hint to Hero Complex about Transformers 3 that is currently scheduled to come out on July 1st, 2011.

On TF3:

So can we expect more thunderous sound in the third installment? Although the number of robots increased significantly from the first film for the second, the third film ...won’t be as robot-heavy and there will be fewer explosions, a tight-lipped Bay said after the Q+A.

“There will be a nice crescendo ending,” Bay said. “It gets much more into the robot character. The last time you kind of met a few of the robots; this time you’re gonna get a much cooler landscape.”

On TF2's sound art:

“I have like 2,000 people — through their artistry — making my dreams a film,” Bay said. “The artistry of this sound group is just amazing. I love, love sound. It’s 45-50% of the movies.”

“All of our sounds are performing almost like actors,” said [supervising sound editor Erik] Aadahl, whom Bay described as the “secret weapon” of the films. “They’re just performing the scene through sound. It just takes a lot of playing around with different elements. With sound, we are completely unfettered by the laws of physics.”

[The Reedman] scene meant to “cleanse the palate” from the booming sound featured throughout most of the film. The volume was turned down to enhance the sound created by the energy sparks. So where did the inspiration for the muted, vibrating zing of the microcons come from? A couple of magnets. Spread an inch apart and tossed in the air, they meet to create a quivering sound that -- when amplified by a microphone -- resembles the chattering of insects.

Aadahl said the vibrating hum from his electrical shaver resembled an bug buzz — perfect for a tiny Decepticon scout. The creak from opening the stove door? That served as the central sound for an older (more rusty) Decepticon. And a slamming dryer door was used as the thud for Devastator’s footsteps -- proving that that it doesn’t always take a large element to produce a big sound. “Those huge things seem small in comparison to the small things,” Aadahl said. “We find the macro in the micro.”