Toy Images Showcase Transformers: Age of Extinction CGI Character Art

From the Idle Hands blog via the Transformers_Movie Instagram account below are a bunch of images of the packaging for Hex Bug Transformers: Age of Extinction line. The "bugs" are themed to the major characters of the movie. For fans, the key bit is it appears the art isn't based on the toys but on the actual movie CGI art resulting in our best look yet at the new characters of Galvatron, Lockdown, STinger, Drift and the bearded visage of Hound. All images of the Toy Fair TF Hex Bug display is here. Thanks to Feris O. for the link.

First Image from Transformers 4 Teaser Trailer

Thanks to Feris O. here is the first image from the Transformers: Age of Extinction Super Bowl teaser trailer that is just hours away from release. It seems the robots alt mode is the green 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray. As for his name, speculation has narrowed it down to Crosshairs or Slingshot but still no official confirmation of names with alt modes (except for Prime and 'Bee of course). I wonder how a metallic cape works?

Reno Wilson Returns as Brains in Transformers 4?

A tweet from Reno Wilson suggests that Brains survived the Cybertronian ship crash in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Below is all the info available, speculate away in the comments.

Just finished a v.o. session for Michael Bay, who is a genius! Each one better than the last! #Transformers4 #Brains

— Reno Wilson (@R2theENO) January 14, 2014

First Official Look at the Redesigned Transformers 4 Optimus Prime

Empire Magazine has posted their cover to their January 2014 issue which provides the first official look at the redesigned Optimus Prime for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Just like in previously leaked images, the character is sporting a sword and shield as the core cast of Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz and Mark Wahlberg pose. The only other bit of "info" is the below set pic with unknown characters in the rigged vehicle. The new issue hits UK stores on Thursday so hopefully more info will leak then. Thanks to Feris Othman for the heads-up. So what do you think of the modified look for the Autobot leader?

Transformers 4 Crew Hoodie Reveals Grimlock's Robot Mode?

A Transformers: Age of Extinction crew hoodie posted on Transformers Cars Facebook page seems to have provided the first look at Grimlock's potential robot mode. It could be another robot but the spiky, bulky look does seem very Grimlock-like. Much like with Optimus Prime with his sword and shield, this one uses maces as weapons. This is the first report of a crew hoodie with TF image on the back (I would assume people around the set would have noticed it by now) so while it could be real, it could also be a fan mock-up. As usual time will tell.

Hasbro Website Update Reveals Transformers 4 Character Names (Updated)

Last night Hasbro updated their website with new entries for 2014 Generations and Constructbots toys. As TFW2005 members discovered, it turns out that update included an unexpected surprise of listing many of the toys planned for Transformers: Age of Extinction that reveals many of the names of the characters that might appear in the movie.

A few caveats on this however. One, the list has a lot of strange code names. Two, Hasbro doesn't release a toy without planning for at least one repaint so really every mold has two names. So are the code names hiding a movie character name or just an undecided repaint name? Are some of the listed names already decided repaint names? As the image shows, it literally just a listing, there are no pictures so unable to verify what the alt modes are for each new character. Spoiler Warning, summary of names after the break.

Update: TFW2005 members did some further digging and discovered that the codename listings shared the same product IDs as named listing. Result is the code names do not signify a potential set of additional characters but those already listed in the summary. Revised toy listings here.

Transformers 4 Render Art for Optimus Prime With Teases of Bumblebee and Grimlock

Render art posted on ACToys forums provides the first solid look at Optimus Prime along with bit of a tease of Grimlock's dino mode and Bumblebee. The art suggests that the designs for the robot modes maintain the movie line's complex look yet seems much more streamlined with larger plate pieces that remind me of Transformers Prime. It isn't enough detail to reach final conclusions but so far I am not hating it.

I wonder if streamlining means less complex CGI transformations resulting in budget savings. This isn't to mean the viewer would be cheated visually. For example Optimus Prime in TF1 to 3 was made up of over 10,000 fully realized CGI 3D pieces put together and rendered even those most of those parts are invisible to the viewer. If Prime were "just" made up of 7,000 pieces (or whatever the final number is), I doubt anyone would notice since most of that detail is hidden. Of course this assumes that streamlining means less when require even more parts. So what do you think of the new designs?

Transformers 4 Arrives in China With New Alt Mode Vehicle? (Updated)

Transformers 4 production is on the verge of starting back up in China. New images show various Transformer cars, including a maybe new one, showing up in the country to prep for around a month's worth of filming. The cars spotted in China are Bumblebee (2014 Camaro), Hound, Corvette Stingray, Bugatti, Pagani Huayra and a new red vehicle identified as a 2014 Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale (left pic).

In Dark of the Moon, the Transformers called "Dino" (or Mirage) was also a 458 Italia but I would be surprised if that character returned considering his near non-existent part in the last film. Also the car looks too much like the Pagani (right pic) to a non-car aficionado like me and most movie goers. The range in vehicle colors is no accident as it is a design choice to make it so requires only a glance for viewers to know what character they are looking at regardless of the make and model of the alt mode. The addition breaks that formula so guessing it serves some other purpose than a TF alt mode. It is also possible the car arrived on the same ship (or plane) as the other vehicles but has nothing to do with TF4 production.

Transformers 4 Character Hints

Nelson, the admin for MichaelBay.com, has provided a few Transformers character tidbits. One of them suggests that the robot face photographed a few months ago might be Hound. He also wrote that after Chicago filming ends on Wednesday, next is filming in Washington state followed by China.

I like how Bumblebee looks like in robot form this time around. He looks badass and sleek.

The Stingray is one of my favorite looking robots.

So is the Bugatti. Wait til you see this guy in action. He will blow your mind!!

And Hound reminds me of the bearded chubby fellow in Braveheart. He might take the cake when it comes to personality.

Its not much to go on but better than nothing. Feel free to add what you think in the comments. (via TFW2005)

New Transformers 4 Robot Images, Silo Set Explosion Video

While in their rush to grab pictures from this site of this weekend's filming at the Damen Avenue abandoned silo without giving proper credit to Colin H, TFormers did manage to find a great video (below) of the explosives going off on top of the silo that destroyed the bridge joining the two sections. The boom was big enough to set off car alarms that were not exactly close to the site. In addition, TFW2005 used my link to cmarseye's TF4 gallery to catch something I didn't (dang it) - two pictures of two unknown Transformer robots from the first day of filming in Chicago on August 24th. The first is probably Bay approving something from ILM on his Macbook while the other was on the clapper (which is held upside down for some reason).

Update: Pictures pulled at the demand of Paramount Pictures

Dinobots Officially Confirmed, Two New Concept Cars on Set

Transformers 4 producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has confirmed that the Dinobots are in the movie. This was already revealed through various leaks but always nice to get official confirmation. In an interview with the Beijing News (translation via TFW2005) he spoke about the Dinobots and said that TF4 action would take place in possibly 4 Chinese cities.

"I can not disclose the specifics, but you can be sure that the joining of the Dinobots will give the audience new excitement. In addition to Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, the appearance of these classic roles changed, today the world's coolest, most exciting cars will appear in the film, including China's vehicles, whether you are a car enthusiast, you will feast your eyes and be shocked by them."

"In China we have chosen Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as two more cities we are looking at."

In addition to new concept cars was spotted on the TF4 set in Chicago this weekend. One is a silver 201? Aston Martin Vanquish (below pics) while the other is a white 2014 China Concept E-Jet (above). Its unknown if they are Transformer alt modes but it seems likely they are, especially the E-Jet as I suspect China would insist on it as part of the "cooperation agreement".

Transformers 4 Call Sheet Reveals Character Names, Story Spoilers

An image of a Transformers 4 call sheet has been posted on Reddit that reveals the first names of most of the key cast, names of several Transformers and story tidbits including confirming a long time rumor. The image is a bit tiny as a screenshot from an iPhone but has enough detail to read the entire call sheet which breaks down which characters, vehicles, and scenes that are being filmed on the day and the days ahead.

Suffice it to say - SPOILER WARNING. Clicking the image or reading summary below are definite spoilers. Thanks to KennyD for the link.

Update: Call sheet image pulled at request of Paramount Pictures publicity and legal departments (which has the unintended side effect of verifying its authenticity).

Sideswipe Vehicle Spotted in Lansing?

It seems Sideswipe returns for Transformers 4. At least judging by these pictures, taken by RenaissanceWade, of a maybe 2014 Chevy Concept Corvette were taken near the GM Delta Township Plant in Lansing, MI where TF4 was filming over the weekend. I assume Corvette and Sideswipe since it looks like an updated version of the 2012 Chevy Corvette Centennial convertible that was his alt mode in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. A sweet ride that goes with the other ultra expensive sports cars that make up most of the Autobot fleet. Thanks to @joshc167 for the link.

Update: From the comments and twitter, readers are saying the car is either a 2002 Cadillac Cien Concept, a car that Michael Bay used in The Island. Others are saying its 2014 Cadillac Cien Concept. Which year could be important as I doubt Sideswipe would be a 2002 but could see him as a 2014. Of course neither always remains a strong option. Its just hard to ignore it being a near identical shape and color as DOTM vehicle. It would fit the character the same way the other vehicle changes still match the overall expected look for the character's vehicle mode.

Bumblebee's Other Alt Mode for Transformers 4 (Updated)

It looks like Optimus Prime isn't the only character with two vehicle alt modes. The 1967 Chevy Camaro SS is not Bumbleebee's only vehicle alt mode for Transformers 4. Today MichaelBay.com has posted his other more modern look.

"Trumpets please . . . Bumblebee, a 2014 Concept Camaro! . . . the final jewel in the Transformers 4 crown. High resolution image: http://bayhem.com/18tH0jv"

The reveal is well timed as the vehicle has already been spotted filming at the General Motors proving grounds facility in Michigan. Based on the above notes and select pictures from Autoblog.com, it seems the core Autobot characters are Optimus Prime (Western Star truck), Bumblebee (2014 Camaro), 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray, 2013 Bugatti Vitesse, and Hound ( Oshkosh Tactical Vehicle). The rest of the photo set is here. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

Update: Added the video that the pictures were taken from.

Leadfoot in Transformers 4; More Adrian, MI Pics

On Instagram becker1241 has posted a picture of the Leadfoot vehicle from Transformers: Dark of the Moon along with the "new" Bumblebee vehicle. Is the character in Transformers 4? Are the other Wreckers going to show up and what other previous movies TF characters might pop-up? No telling the plan but does make sense that the three previously introduced race car Autobots would show up in a movie with a race car driving character involved in a "chase from hell." Also to go along with yesterday's pics, below are a few choice new pics from Adrian, Michigan shoot along M-52. The rest can be found here and here. Thanks to Sam Nickelson for the link.

New Truck Added to Transformers 4 Vehicle Cast

MichaelBay.com has posted another image of a new Transformers 4 vehicle join the already large vehicle cast.

"The adventure continues to transform with a very different offering from Daimler Trucks North America . . . the imposing 2014 Argosy cab-over truck by Freightliner. High Resolution photo: http://bayhem.com/1akzqZb."

Considering the various vehicles we have seen up to this point I can't help but think of the Stunticon leader Motormaster.

Transformers 4 China Set Update, New Vehicles Spotted

Transformers 4 production has moved to Detroit, Michigan with videos and images of cars being spotted on set or on their way to the set. In addition, thanks to Jerry B. we have an update on the China set being built in the city which does appear to have battle damage elements built into it (left pic and below right). He also took pictures of camera equipment prep being done with filming vehicles on Cass and LaFayette streets (1st 3 pics below). He said these were the same vehicles they used in TF3 for filming so unlikely they are Transformer alt modes.

New Transformers 4 Alt Mode Introduced

MichaelBay.com has introduced another new, gorgeous and ultra expensive car that will be used in Transformers 4, "Considered a masterpiece of design and engineering, this fierce, 2013 blood red Pagani Huayra, is named after an ancient Andean God of Wind. High resolution photo: http://bayhem.com/15BERvQ" The image in the post has been modifed by Jeffrey Marshall of Pixel Rally to lose the distracting vertical-line pattern and focus on the vehicle itself. Also thanks to Wynton R. for the heads-up.

Transformers 4 Rally Fighter Spotted in Austin

The Transformers 4 Rally Fighter has been spotted again in the Austin area. If might ring a bell it was first seen a little over a week ago in the Pflugerville area. Thanks to RE515TANT, below are pictures and a video he took of the vehicle as a Paramount Pictures vehicle was hauling it around. None of the vehicles are sporting any NEST logos or other identifying information so still difficult to determined the vehicles' purposes are for the movie.

New Transformers 4 Vehicle Revealed

MichaelBay.com has revealed another vehicle being used in Transformers 4, "The Ultimate Sonic RS, just pure fun. High resolution: http://bayhem.com/13XdH30". The picture and that description is all that was posted so unknown if this is a Transformers alt mode or a car one of the human characters drive. Still, much more fun to just assume its a Transformer and then try to guess the character. Post your guesses in the comments.