Transformers 4 Wulong Karst Lawsuit Moves Forward

It took nearly two years from the initial filing but the Wulong Karst Tourism lawsuit against Paramount Pictures for Transformers: Age of Extinction is finally moving forward to be heard in a Chongqing city court. The Wulong Karst is the cannon and forest area that was used to introduce the Autobots in the film. For a fee of $750,000, the tourism company is saying Paramount agreed to show the logo "China Wulong" in the film for Chinese audiences to see. The logo was missing from the finished film. Paramount admits to the mistake but said they had Michael Bay shoot an advertisement and leave sets and props for the company to use. For failing to add the logo to the film, the tourist company is seeking $27 million. If this was an American court then the fear of an unpredictable jury would lead to both sides wanting to reach a settlement but I don't know how these things are decided in China. It is probably safe to assume that Wulong Karst Tourism has a very strong home field advantage and so little incentive to settle.

Ultimately this strikes me as American companies failing to understand their business partners. Product placement advertisements in most eastern countries are like advertisements use to be done in the 1950s to 1970s in America. Then that meant the show, host, actors, etc. would essentially stop, look to camera and advertise whatever the product was. It was in your face and impossible to miss. That style is alive and well in China and elsewhere and completely counter to how America does it currently (believe it or not). By those standards the logo "China Wulong" might seem subtle and small but what has not been indicated is how big and potentially distracting the logo may or may not have been and the on screen duration that was expected (pop up like a location identifier or stay on screen for entire scenes that were filmed in the Wulong Karst location?) In the end though it sounds like they made an agreement without really understanding what they were agreeing to and now may pay for it.

Michael Bay likes to revisit past locations for Transformers films but this time there has been zero indications of production returning to China. I can't help but wonder if this, an on set extortion attempt and no telling what else that didn't make it to the press might have influenced a decision to avoid filming there for Transformers 5 despite the financial boost Paramount enjoyed the last time.

Wulong Karst Formally Sues Over Transformers 4

According to Deadline, Paramount Pictures, M1905 (their Chinese partner) and the producers of Transformers: Age of Extinction have a new (if minor) headache to deal with. After threatening to do it earlier this month, I guess discussions did not work out. The Wulong Karst Tourism Company, the location for the Dinobots introduction, have sued them in Chongqing No. 3 Intermediate People's Court for 4M yaun for losses while the park was closed for filming, 12M yaun for profit losses due to the breach and promises how would be depicted in the movie and refund of their 4.8M yaun to be in the movie. The total of 12.8M yaun works out to around $3.4 million depending time of day. The lawsuit comes down to the movie not being nearly overt enough in advertising the park, even though apparently it was good enough as it has enjoyed an increase in visitors. That total is chump change to Paramount as Transformers 4 is poised to cross $1 billion (or 6.2B yuan) and likely they will attempt to quietly settle the lawsuit.

Another Chinese Partner Claims Contract Breach Over Transformers 4

Once again Paramount might get sued from one of their Chinese partners for not representing their product sufficiently. The first time was from Beijing Pangu Investment who felt their hotel's logos and names were not shown enough and tried to recoup the cost of their deal to essentially get free perpetual advertisement from the film. It seems Wulong Karst National Park liked the idea as they are now claiming breach of contract for the same reasons. They claim the park's location was not displayed and the film edited events in such a way to make it seem like it was a neighbor to Kong Kong and not its actual 700 miles away.

Transformers 4 in China Featurette

Below is a very short featurette that focuses on filming Transformers: Age of Extinction in China. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Transformers 4 Big Red Commercial

Here is the new Transformers 4 commercial for the Big Red drinks. Compared to all the other tie-in stuff, it is definitely a unique approach as it kind of celebrates geekdom. Have to admit was kind of digging that Autobot ring. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

New Transformers 4 "Transformers Are Dangerous" Video

It is kind of shame that Transformers 4 didn't do a better job with the whole "Transformers Are Dangerous" marketing campaign as the idea on its own could have been very interesting to explore since the movie didn't. Any case below is the latest.

$200 Million in "Promotional Value" for Transformers 4

If you have seen Transformers: Age of Extinction, you probably couldn't help but notice that at times it came just short of having the actors look at the camera and spout off some product slogan. It turns out that was intentional as the promotional might practically paid for the movie to get made.

“For us, Transformers is the big daddy of partnership opportunities,” LeeAnne Stables, Paramount worldwide marketing partnerships executive vp, told The Hollywood Reporter. The exec estimated that those partnerships add up to a global promotional value of more than $200 million.

New Clip, TV Spots, and Viral Videos for Transformers: Age of Extinction

Transformers: Age of Extinction is now out in various parts of the world and the marketing machine continues. Below is a clip (whose location should look familiar as the Detroit China set), two more TV spots and a viral video warning citizens to report Transformers sightings. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

Transformers 4 TV Spot #24, Camaro Commercial and Kre-O's Summarize The TF Movies

Three new Transformers: Age of Extinction related videos. The first is another new TV spot for Transformers: Age of Extinction. The next is a commercial for the recently recalled Chevy Camaro's featuring scenes from the movie involving Bumblebee. The last one is a commercial for Kre-O where they start to summarize movie stuff (in Kre-O bricks of course) before just pointing out the new Kre-O Dinobots.

Michael Bay Interview, Pics and Vids from Transformers 4 Premiere

A little bit more from the World Premiere of Transformers: Age of Extinction held yesterday. Michael Bay discussed the movie with The Hollywood Reporter. Nothing new revealed. In addition we have a kind of synoposis video from the event along with performance from Imagine Dragons of TF4 song "Battle Cry". Click here for more pics from the event.

Video, Pics from World Premiere of Transformers: Age of Extinction with Imagine Dragons Concert

Early this morning (US time) starting at 6:45 am PT was the world premiere of Transformers: Age of Extinction that included Michael Bay and the cast of the movie. MichaelBay.com has posted their gallery of images from the event here. Below is video from Yahoo! Movies of the event complete with the Imagine Dragons concert.

Goalie Optimus Prime

Below is a cute commercial from ESPN as part of their FIFA World Cup 2014 coverage as Optimus Prime acts as goalie.

Live Streaming for Transformers 4 Hong Kong Premiere

Tomorrow morning (US time), the world premiere of Transformers: Age of Extinction will be occuring in Hong Kong. If you are interested in watching, MichaelBay.com has posted the details (below) for a live streaming of the event. As part of that event, the city has erected a 20 foot tall Optimus Prime statue in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Watch all the action from the Transformers 4 Hong Kong Premiere via live streaming event on Thursday June 19th at 9:30AM EST /6:30AM PST. Check here for your local time.

Be sure to check out the red carpet arrivals of the film’s many stars and a special live performance by Imagine Dragons performing their hits including ‘Battle Cry”.

https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/transformers-4/

Meet Cade, Stanley Tucci Interview Videos

Below are two new videos for Transformers: Age of Extinction. The first is a brief almost TV spot that introduces Mark Wahlberg's character of Cade Yeager. The second video is a brief interview with Stanley Tucci that appears to have been taken last year on the Detroit China set as he describes his character and working with Michael Bay.

Regal Theaters has announced they are doing a "super ticket" for Transformers: Age of Extinction. The cost is the price of the ticket + $15 which buys you an Ultraviolet digital copy of one of the three previous movies and TF4 before it comes out on Blu-ray (so around October). If you have been buying the previous Transformers movies as Blu-ray with digital copy then do not waste your money as a redundant purchase. It might be ok if have a gap in that digital collection then might want to consider since usually a TF digital purchase is $10 and up just keep in mind that the purchase is Ultraviolet only, not iTunes. Details at the press release below or can purchase here.

Catch a Ride with Optimus Prime

If you live in Phoenix and Los Angeles, you might get a chance to ride the Optimus Prime truck. The Uber app (think Taxi service) will have the truck in Phoenix, AZ on June 19th from 1-7pm pick ups and on June 21st from 1pm-7pm in Los Angeles. Details at the Uber blog. Thanks to Colin H. for the link.

Transformers 4 Ads From Around The World

With the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction less than a month away, advertisements have started popping up around the world. Some are the straightforward billboard type but others include covering the entire side of a 13 story building, a double-decker bus in Hong Kong or just taking advantage of the driving advertisement that is the Optimus Prime Western Star. Other advertising images for the movie can be found here.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Character Blueprints

From the recent issue of the UK's Empire Magazine are blueprint images of Optimus Prime, Galvatron, Bumblebee, and Lockdown. While they are in blue, it does give you a chance to look at some of the CGI details of each character.

Duck Meat Snack and More Part of Transformers 4 Chinese Product Placement

A news report (below) indicates that the very heavy Chinese specific product placement planned for Transformers: Age of Extinction will include at least water, car and duck meat snack along with more unspecified products. The heavy product placement was assumed for a while now, especially after the co-finance deal, E-Jet vehicle and more that we have learned about over the last year or so. The co-finance deal and product placement is partly to increase the films profitability but also part of Paramount's efforts to get in the good graces of the Chinese government as Hollywood is desperate to increase their presence in the country and current law make that difficult with foreign film quotas and limited number of days a non-Chinese film can be shown in theaters. As pointed out by io9.com, Transformers: Dark of the Moon also had its share of Chinese brand product placements that probably was missed by most audiences that included a plug for Lenovo computers, t-shirts and milk. I would not be surprised if every shirt, car and billboard seen in the film for Chinese set portions of the story are all pre-approved and purchased advertising for the film. At the very least it will be interesting to see if it is handled well or not.

Chevy's Transformers 4 Ad

Below is a new commercial from Chevy to highlight their vehicles that appear in Transformers: Age of Extinction. It was first shown at a New York Trade Show last month and seems to be a mix of movie footage and additional footage shot specifically for use in commercials. Thanks to Colin H. for the link.