Transformers: Dark of the Moon Official Photos

Transformers: Dark of the Moon set photographer Robert Zuckerman has posted a large gallery of images from the filming of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. His role is to gather the still images used for help in advertising the movie, for press and related products such as posters, toys and the like. The full gallery of images can be found at Zuckerman's website or at MichaelBay.com.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon In Theatres Today

Today is the day many have been waiting for. The first day that Transformers: Dark of the Moon is in theaters, nearly worldwide. As a way to get you excited, below are two playlists of videos. The first is all the trailers and TV spots for the film. Also have them in none playlist form here. The second is nearly 200 videos that were posted when the movie was being filmed in Chicago, LA, Florida, Washington, DC, and more. Also note that the movie does have a scene during the credits involving ex-Agent Seymour Simmons.

And before the box office results start, going to make a guess that DOTM will make $1.1 billion worldwide with 60% of that coming from international sales. Opening week? $310 million worldwide total, $165 from US through July 4th. When do you plan on seeing the movie? What is your estimate? Those closest get...well nothing except knowledge you estimate as well as those that get paid megabucks to read the tea leaves.

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.

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.

Transformers 3 Big Boy Toys

In a little break from all the Transformers: Dark of the Moon pictures how about more pictures of the various Autobot vehicles including the Ferrari, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and few others. The full gallery can be found here. Thanks to lordberti for the link.

Transformers 3 At The United Nations

Principle photography may have completed (aka lead cast completed their work) for Transformers 3, but that doesn't mean filming is finished. According to On Vacation Locations and Inner City Press, Transformers: Dark of the Moon filmed in the General Assembly auditorium on Saturday.

The middle section of the General Assembly hall was full of extras, in suits and native dress, while a camera on a mechanical arm panned the crowd and then the three faux speakers on the rostrum. From the photo booth on the GA's third floor, Inner City Press heard stage directions, saw the vote tally board lit up.

On Vacation Locations mentions that Dame Judi Dench was spotted but I highly doubt it. Based on the description it sounds like part of the "Autobots - Go Home" plot point that is rumored to include Congress making their presence illegal in the States and now seems to include the UN too. Does that mean Transformers get banned from the entire planet? Or maybe it is for the end of the film and the Autobots are given planetary wide amnesty?

Shia and Co. On LA TF3 Set

Just Jared and The Daily Mail have each posted galleries from the Culver City in Los Angeles set of Transformers: Dark of the Moon as Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley continued to film what looks like more blue screen work for the film. The stunts including something along a building wall, sliding down a facade (say a building as it falls) with other NEST troops, and Shia doing his screaming thing inside Bumblebee. Hit links above for the galleries. Thanks to rumah, Katie and Mauricio for the links.

Two Fan Made Trailers

The news about Transformers: Dark of the Moon has clearly slowed down to a crawl so here are a few odds and ends for your entertainment. Below is a fan made trailer by Colin Hinkle who used his videos of TF3 filming in the Windy City. Another fan made trailer (despite its title) was found by Mauricio that takes a much different slant on the movie using the first movie's trailer as a template. Embedding on it was disabled so click here to view.

In a slightly related note, here are two pictures from Sam where he froze two images from the ET report from Chicago and zoomed in on the uniforms. As the pics show, two uniforms show reversed US flags. Does it mean anything plot wise? Update: No, as pointed out in the comments. From that, to Google and USFlag.org, "..when authorized for application to the proper uniform the American flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that “the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the ‘reverse side flag’.” Always cool to learn something new. Makes me wonder now how many other movies/TV shows with military gets that detail right.

A last note, Shia was recently spotted on the Transformers 3 set in LA on October 28th. The gallery shows nothing of value, but if a fan of Shia, click it for pics of him shirtless. Thanks to Michel K. for the link.

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

TF3 DC: Even More Videos, Images

To my knowledge, production in Washington, DC has come to an end. It is also possible the United States side of filming has also completed. This doesn't mean that more images and videos from DC are still not popping up online. Thanks to Topherlyon who posted a nice gallery of images from filming, including confirming it was Julie White, Kevin Dunn, Shia LaBeouf, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely filming at Constitution Hall on last Sunday. The full set can be found on Flickr.

He and his brother also posted two videos (below) that they edited together of the first two days of filming in the area. The 1st video is filming at Constitution Hall, the second is a look at some of the pre-prep before the Bayhem along Pennsylvania Avenue. Overall they report seeing 4 fire fights and 1 explosion with multiple takes.

Below is also a link to a 20 minute video on Facebook (no embedding available). It shows some of the Lincoln Memorial filming including a close-up of Michael Bay, Josh Duhamel, Shia and others doing their various tasks including filming a scene of them running together towards flashing lights (probably representing a distant fire fight) along with Shia finding various ways to kill time between takes. Part of it is various amusing ways to get himself going to make it seem he has been running for a while. Speaking of, for additional amusement Shia also got busted throwing coffee on paparazzi while in DC. Thanks Adam for Facebook link and rumah for coffee video link.

Videos: DC Facebook | Throwing Coffee

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.

TF3 DC: Bayhem Arrives in the Capitol, Autobots Exiled

Despite the Bumblebee accident, the show must go on as it did last night in around the National Mall in Washington, DC. Michael Bay was able to get permission to bring his patented Bayhem to the scene with explosions and lots of gunfire as the videos below filmed near the Capital Building along Pennsylvania Avenue show. In addition he briefly spoke to a fan about the accident, joking around saying "there are always more" and "Washington cops wrecked my Bumblebee." Thanks to Eric Heise, Jeffrey from Pixel Rally and Katie for the video links.

A thread from Revenge of the Fallen, carried over with set images of an "Autobots Go Home" graphitti has hit a new level with a reveal from The Washington Post that indicates things are going very badly for the Autobots in this movie. Thanks to Richard P. for the link. Update: Politico provides a little more information including the name of the character as Dana Bash.

"While filming "[Transformers] 3" in front of the Capitol in D.C., director Michael Bay shoots a scene in which a "CNN reporter" broadcasts news that Congress has acted quickly to pass legislation that exile Autobots from American soil."

As the photos above and below show, Bumblebee is alive and well both in a trailer and on the DC streets thanks to Allison and Michael D. along with a few additional images. From the TF Parking Lot/Home Base, Allison reports that she scoped out the "Mad Max" truck and could not find any insignia to verify if it’s a Transformer or not. She did note a little dog on the front that to me suggests more terrestrial origins for the vehicle (or that its Wreck-Gar who started as neither Autobot or Decepticon in the G1 movie). She also spotted two additional Bumblebees, not including the damaged one. The rest of Michael's gallery from the streets of DC can be found here.

TF3 DC: More Set Pics, Mad Max Truck, New Accident Video

The news yesterday was mostly about the car accident between Bumblebee and a Washington DC cop, but that was not all that occurred yesterday. Transformers 3 was filming in several locations around the National Mall. Part of the reason Michael Bay was not spotted at the accident is because he was in front of the American Red Cross Headquarters, filming a retro scene that may tie into a rumored 1960s flashback that is related to space race. Meanwhile Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kevin Dunn and Julia White drove around in the Datsun PL510 (from Chicago and Indiana) and other vehicles near the Lincoln Memorial. My understanding is today is when filming shifts into a night shoot starting around 6:30pm but not sure at what locations.

One other piece of information is the Mad Max truck from Chicago was spotted, not sure though if part of filming or just attached to the traveling filming caravan. The vehicle is rumored to be Megatron, something that "Astrotrain" reported to me as true:

Megatron is for a fact the Mad Max semi in TF3. I can send you more behind the scenes pictures from a storage facility where all the vehicles were kept while in Chicago. My father in law who works for a special effects company in Chicago was one of a group whose job it was as he said Michael Bay states "make this truck look more demented." Also not sure if it is known or not but Patrick Dempsey’s Character is a super Billionaire computer expert, who helps the transformers buy building additional ones to help. Those NASCAR transformers are not partially transformed those are ones he created, along with he "power glove" we have seen Sam wearing.

TF3 Florida: Helicoptor Action and Photo Ops

On Friday Transformers 3 filming continued at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida specifically at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). It also seems to quite possibly be the last day of filming at Kennedy as some of the Transformers vehicles participated in a photo op for KSC employees and their family. Not sure if that means they are still not doing more around Florida or if everything is getting packed up for Washington, DC starting Monday.

The two pictures are from the photo op and found at KSC's website but so far I have not been able to get the gallery to load. Also below are two videos, one I think filmed on Thursday as shows four helicopters heading to the launchpad in a kind of formation. It doesn't look like they are sporting camera bubbles indicating they are part of the action rather than filming it. The second video is a brief interview with Kennedy's News Chief Allard Beutel as he spoke a little bit about TF3 filming at the Center. Thanks to Sideswipe for the info and video and Richard for the pictures.

TF3 at Kennedy Space Center Update

Transformers 3 production continues to film at the Kennedy Space Center. According to Sideswipe, they have spent the last two days at the launch pad filming scenes while NASA continues to prep Discovery for launch, most recently loading the Payload Canister. The camera feeds of the area have started to get cut when TF3 production starts. He also reports that helicopters have been filming around the pad, indicating that whatever the scenes are there is more to them than just a walk and talk. Below are links to various galleries, I recommend at least checking out the Orlando Sentinel where I got the awesome Prime in front of the VAB pic. A few of the images prove that the Twins and Ironhide are on site. However, being on site and being part of the various scenes are two different things. Thanks to Sideswipe for the links.

The Orlando Sentinel | TFW2005 | NASA Space Flight forums

Update: Brief update from Sideswip on today's filming:

...from someone who works at KSC "They were filming on the pad surface all day, so they were probably supporting that. We had to time our breaks around theirs so we could get in and out of the gate. Did get some cool pics but y'all are going to have to wait until later to see them, have strict orders not to post them for getting the opportunity to take them. Sorry. Did get some inside info, but, again, can't say anything. (I know, the suspense will suck!) But I can say, I think most of you will be pleasantly surprised! ;)" Also heard they were filming in the firing room yesterday. So launch sequence? I think so!

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.

TF3 at Kennedy Update

Transformers 3 continues to film at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Thanks to site readers we have a little bit of information and webcam images of some of what was done today. Filming started this morning at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) with the Autobot vehicles spotted outside the building.

Sideswipe noted that observers thought it seemed like the plan is to have the Autobots communicate with Discovery. The Rotating Service Structure stage for Discovery was delayed to Wednesday night so if plan to film Discovery, that will have to occur on Thursday. Some noting that if the shuttle is a Transformer it should have a female voice since shuttles are traditionally referred to by NASA as "she". Around 3pm EST, he reports that filming moved to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) where the shuttles are prepped for the craft's next scheduled launch with the Endeavour and Atlantis currently being staged.

As for the images provided by Sideswipe (he also posted some on the NASA forums), they seem to show a man in a wheelchair having a meeting with a general or possible NEST members in the VAB. It is unclear on the specifics. I don't think it is a flashback sequence for a rumored 1960's story angle mostly because of the SUVs in the background. Thanks to Sideswipe for the info and pics and Richard for the forum link.

TF3 Detroit: Final Day Report

Closing time for Transformers 3 in Detroit as production finished its final scenes in the city today. The clean-up has begun as the caravan is moving to Florida and the Space Center area for a week of filming from September 29th to October 5th. In the mean time J1000 has provided his final set report with gallery that includes meeting Josh Duhamel, news the set jet prop might be a Decepticon (more fuel for the Shockwave theory) and a continued reminder that the Transformers 3 crew continues to treat fans with nothing but respect and kindness that is appreciated. A huge thanks to J1000 for the last few weeks of images and video for bringing the Detroit shoot to the rest of us.

Well, the smoke is settling in Detroit. Filming wrapped here this morning, with some final scenes shot around the various sets. They are breaking down the sets, and going into clean-up mode, and getting ready to head to Florida tomorrow. I met a really cool girl that works with the locations department over the weekend, who invited us down to check out one of the sets. Just before we ran into here, we got to get some pics of/with some NEST soldiers, then with Josh Duhamel himself! A few minutes later, a crew member saw us and gave my son an ILM/TF3 Crew hat, and another gave him a yellow TF3 sticker like the ones they handed out in Chicago. When we met up with the girl I mentioned, she took us back on the set where the jet was filmed against the skyscraper section and bluescreen, and described some of what we would see in the movie regarding it. She said it would take place 18 floors up, when Sam would jump onto the ship, and the bluescreen would be replaced with Chicago skyline. Another crew member said "Did you guys see the Decepticon ship?".. soooo sounds like it may be Decepticon after all (unless he was mistaken). She described what a lot of the props were for, and pointed out a lot of prominent members of the production that were nearby, such as Simon (Assistant Director), the director of 3D recording, the lead sound editor, etc. Just before we left, Shia walked by about 10 feet away in costume; they were getting ready to wrap up, so we left at that point, with a bunch of awesome memories, pics, videos, and souvenirs. Everybody we met involved with the movie was extremely friendly, very cool, and very gracious with their time, and I thank them all for that! Well, that's it from Detroit everybody; can't wait to see what Florida brings!

J1000