Transformers 4 China Set Prep, Actors Gallery

Once again thanks to Jerry B. and his friend Mike Y. below are a bunch more images from Transformers 4's China set in downtown Detroit. The images show details as the production prepped for the scene Jerry was able to film. The images at the end I think are of some of the explosives put into place for the scene. There are also pics of Michael Bay making the rounds, Bee & Hound, the various extras, set elements, the Cybertronian sword and actors Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci, and Jack Reynor.

Transformers 4 Video of China Set Explosions and Sword (Updated)

Transformers 4 has invaded Detroit as filming has begun at the China set in downtown Detroit. Thanks to Jerry B. we have this interesting image of Mark Wahlberg carrying a Cybertronian sword (or Cybertronian key?). He also filmed the scene below that Jerry noted took about three hours to setup. The brief scene involves Bumblebee, Hound and some Bayhem as Mark runs through the set with sword as explosions go off. This is definitely not a US side scene as the cars are not something you normally see in the States. Michael Bay is the guy in the white shirt.

Jerry also said that the explosions were big enough to send debris to his location requiring him to duck. Also, somewhere in that chaos is Stanley Tucci and Jack Reynor each holding a strap on a large black bag that must be heavy since have to share the load with crew members carrying back for the reset between each practice take. Update: Added another video that shows same thing from a completely different angle.

Wahlberg Passes on Dinobots Question

In an interview with MTV to promote his latest movie, Transformers 4 lead Mark Wahlberg decided to duck the question on if the Dinobots are in the movie. It seems like he has been told to say nothing about the film because once again, the only thing he would describe is his role as a father in the film.

When MTV News' Josh Horowitz sat down with Wahlberg and Denzel Washington to talk about their new movie "2 Guns," the topic of Dinobots came up, and things got heated pretty quickly. "None of your business," Wahlberg said, responding to a question of whether he has encountered any Dinobots. "You don't want me to get replaced halfway through production for divulging secrets."

Transformers 4 Detroit Shoot Schedule, Giant Robot Gun Prop

Two pieces of news. While we thought that Transformers 4 production would start at the Detroit China set on Monday that seems to be incorrect. As previously posted pics and video indicated, the set is still be dressed for filming. However, thanks to Jerry B, we might have a potential schedule based on a Paramount letter he had read sent to local residents around the set. According to the letter the current schedule is July 31 to August 4 and August 7 to 8 with additional filming at the Rosa Parks Transit Center on August 4.

In addition, Shockya has posted these two images of a craft with single person cockpit that looks similar in design to the Transformers: Dark of the Moon ship. I assume the pictures were taken in Detroit. If the prop that big was built for Transformers 4, it means the human characters will be physically interacting in it some way. My theory is this is a human designed craft based on Decepticon technology that was left all over Chicago at the end of the last movie. To make it more of a threat in the story, it is probably specifically designed to destroy Transformer threats. Thanks to Martinus Prime for the link.

Mark Wahlberg Gives His Transformers 4 Routine

In an interview with Metro News Canada, Mark Wahlberg to promote his next movie 2 Guns, the actor briefly commented on Transformers 4. He provided no information about the film but did say what his daily routine is during the shoot.

But until he gets into “Ted 2″ later this year, he’s been deep in the throes of physically demanding roles, including “Transformers 4,” which he’s currently shooting. Featuring an all-new cast, Wahlberg says he plays “a single dad who’s trying to raise a very attractive teenage girl in the real world.”

“‘Transformers 4′ is as demanding a movie as I’ve ever done,” he says.

“I don’t go out at night anymore, so that makes it a lot easier. I go home, I’ll eat dinner, I’ll read the script and prepare for the next day’s work, and go to bed right away. I’ll wake up with a little bit of time to say my prayers, read my prayer book, maybe do a little workout, and then get back at it. And then steal a cat nap whenever I can during the work day — but (‘Transformers’ director) Michael (Bay), once he starts working, he doesn’t like to stop.”

More Pictures and Video from Transformers 4 China Set

Thanks to Jerry B. here are video and more pictures of the China set in downtown Detroit. The pictures show Transformers 4 crew adding elements to the set including Chinese vehicles and a Chicago subway car. The 1st video one provides a nice overview of the China village while the other shows how easily the crew can place the heavy subway car onto its side to appear as if knocked off the People Mover (or whatever the Chicago equivalent is). Michael Bay and company are supposed to start filming at the site today.

Video of Detroit's China Set for Transformers 4

Starting today Transformers 4 production hits Detroit, Michigan starting at the China set location that has been under construction for over a month Taking advantage of the People Mover that goes nearly through the set, below is a video that gives you a nice view of the set. I am not entirely sure but I think the location is really three or more sets combined. One section looks like a Chinese village, another like a shopping center (or mall facade, not really sure), and another might fit near shipping docks with a cave structure built out of cargo containers.

Transformers 4 Smoke Stack Explosion Images

Below are a few images take either on Wednesday or Thursday night as Transformers 4 production filmed on the decommissioned ferry ships the S.S. Columbia and S.S. Ste. Clair currently docked in River Rouge, Michigan. Part of that preparing the over 100 year old ships was adding a second smoke stack specifically to be destroyed as part of whatever scene they filmed. Starting Monday production will be hitting downtown Detroit for more Bayhem.

Transformers 4 Street Closure Timeline

Starting Monday, Transformers 4 production will be filming in downtown Detroit at the China Set from July 31 to August 10. Located on Washington Blvd near Grand Circus Park, that means that streets will have to be closed to accommodate the production. According to MLive.com, a letter sent from Paramount to residents in the area warns that "During our filming please expect to experience simulated gunfire, controlled pyrotechnic explosions, precision driving potentially involving squealing tires, controlled vehicle crashes and smoke." The Detroit People Mover will also be impacted with "occasional three- or four-minute delay due to 'pyrotechnic effects in close proximity'." Below is a summary of street closings.

Transformers 4 Casts Its Boat Set

After passing on the USS Bramble, Transformers 4 production has found and already filmed its boat based scenes for the film. According to CBCNews, the S.S. Columbia and S.S. Ste. Clair have been chosen by the production. The two boats were used to ferry people across the Detroit River to Boblo Island from Amherstburg, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. The amusement park there closed in 1993. The Columbia was in service from 1902 to 1991 while the Ste. Clair ran from 1910 to 1991.

The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in the movie while the Columbia's appearance is "minor."

"When the movie folks are in town, they’re always looking for unique place to shoot so these boats came into play," Buchanan said. "They’re moving right along. They’ve been shooting primarily at night. I don’t know how much more is going to be going on there but they’re not nearly finished."

Transformers 4 Starts Filming at Detroit's China Set on Monday

After over a month of building, Transformers 4's China set is about to get used and abused as filming at the site begins on Monday. As the pictures from Jerry show, the set seems to be the aftermath of a battle that eventually be edited with actual footage filmed in Hong Kong. In an an interview with TF4 producer Ian Byrce to the Detroit Free Press, a little bit more info was provided on what the set will be used for.

“Next week, we begin in Detroit on the big set we’ve built underneath the monorail,” says “Transformers 4” producer Ian Bryce, referring to the Asian-style structures that have been constructed next to Grand Circus Park — near the People Mover.

Detroit will be portraying Hong Kong for the shoot, which is expected to run through the second week of August.

Transformers Prime Season Finale Tonight

Tonight brings an end to Transformers Prime with the series finale titled Deadlock. In the episode, "...the Autobots are finally able to foresee a resurgence of life on their home planet, they must, alongside their human compatriots, confront the determined Decepticons one last time in a battle for the ultimate future of civilization."

The last episodes left us with Ratchet captured, forced to rebuild the Omega Key to restore Cybertron in Megatron's image. Meanwhile, Predaking opened a butt whupping on both Megatron and Optimus Prime before being kicked off the Decepticon's ship. As the last episode ended, the Autobots were able to hone in on Megatron's flying base with Prime determined to make this their final battle. After this is the sort of movie Transformers Prime Predacons Rising that will be released on October 1st. Below is the promo and two clips from the finale.

Titus Welliver Joins Transformers 4 Cast

Transformers fans have known for about a month that Titus Welliver had probably joined the Transformers 4 cast. Deadline has caught up with an "exclusive" confirming the casting. Before it just seemed likely but nothing official to back it up but Deadline has the access to confirm things like this. While you may not be familiar with his name, you probably known his face from pretty much every procedure TV show on the air as he always pops up in a guest starring role on them at some point in their life span. Basically he is a solid addition to the cast and hopefully doing more than the movie equivalent of a cameo. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

Transformers 4's Detroit China Set Nearly Complete

When we last got a look at the China set being built in Detroit for Transformers 4, a blue circular shape thing was being built. The use of blue suggested it was for CGI elements. As the new images taken today by Jerry B. show (below), it is really a piece of a building that broke off and crash landed on the ground, probably related to the battle-damage the set has built into many of its elements. In addition across the street they have re-dressed with Chinese store fronts and are bringing in a destroyed and damaged cars, some with Chinese writing on them, to help dress the set further once they complete construction. MLive.com has also posted their own gallery of the set that was probably taken last week as the roof thing was still blue. Thanks to Jerry for his great pictures and @mikewayland for the link.

Transformers at SDCC 2013

This weekend the San Diego Comic-Con was held. The 'Con is mostly a TV and movies promotional thing at this point (Superman/Batman movie, Avengers 2: Age of Ultron) but Hasbro did have panels for Transformers Prime and the toys. Most of the news was already covered at Botcon 2013 but a few new things were revealed like more of the Thrilling 30 line, Constructabots, the Fan Built Bot design, and more.

Thrilling 30
Hasbro issued a press release revealing a total of 11 of the 30 toys that make up this 30th Anniversary series. This line is definitely geared towards the die hard older collector as the members of the line are entirely made up of exclusives in the US and asian markets. So far we just have official images for a few of them. The list so far:

Sophia Myles Pinching Self Over Joining Transformers 4

In what I think is her first published interview since joining Transformers 4 cast, actress Sophia Miles commented to the Belfast Telegraph about how excited she is to be part of the film. Sadly, info wise she revealed nothing except that her part seems tied into Stanley Tucci's part of which we also know nothing about. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

"We've been on it for a couple of months now. It's so exciting and so thrilling. I love working with the whole cast and Michael Bay is just an incredible director. I feel so privileged, I'm still pinching myself," she said.

"We're still shooting right now. We've been all over the world: we've been in Detroit, Chicago, Washington, Texas and a lot of it in Hong Kong and maybe parts in China."

"I haven't actually worked with Mark [Wahlberg] yet but I have lunch with him and his entourage whenever we're on set. They're the most hilarious people I've ever met," she continued.

"A lot of my work is with Stanley Tucci and he's just so funny. He's so talented and I have to not laugh at him being incredible, and that's one of the hardest things I've had to do on the film."

"I think it's going to be even better than the last ones and they were pretty great," she said, adding: "We've all been sworn to secrecy. I'd love to tell you more but I can't."

Transformers 4 Filming at US Steel Site, Bramble Update, Story Tidbit

Preparation continues in Chicago for Transformers 4 which plans to film in the city from August 18 to September 27. With those plans comes choosing site locations and bureaucratic hurdles to clear. A potential new location is a US Steel site in the Southeast Side of Chicago.

"They want to do some takeoffs and landings at the former U.S. Steel" site, said Ald. John Pope, 10th, who in true Chicago tradition is asking for some consideration in return for his permission. That would take the form of some sort of "community benefits" or perhaps an opportunity for local kids to be allowed to get a close-up of the filmmaking, he said.

Transformers Prime Predacon Rising Movie Details

Now available for pre-order is the Transformers Prime: Predacons Rising movie set for release in October. The movie will be released as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for release on October 1st or wait a week to October 8th for just the DVD version. To pre-order from Amazon hit these links: Predacons Rising Blu-Ray | Predacons Rising DVD

Now to the description and a clip from the movie that was shown at the San Diego Comic-Con. Definite SPOILER WARNING as it will reveal some of the details on the finale of Transformers Prime.

Transformers Prime 3.12 Synthesis Promo and Clip

Today the penultimate episode of Transformers Prime Beast Hunters airs on The Hub at 7:30pm. In the episode, titled "Synthesis", the "Autobots attempt to rescue one of their own by tracking a Decepticon warship." The series finale airs next week and then in October the Predacons Rising movie will be released that kind of caps the whole thing. In regards to the finale episode called Deadlock, Hasbro provided a teaser clip as part of their San Diego Comic Con panel that finally gives Bumblebee a voice. You can find a clip, promo and the 'Bee scene below.

Upcoming Episodes:
07/26 - Deadlock (3.13) - Just as the Autobots are finally able to foresee a resurgence of life on their home planet, they must, alongside their human compatriots, confront the determined Decepticons one last time in a battle for the ultimate future of civilization.

IDW Signs Up for Motion Comics

Madefire has announced that it has closed deals with IDW, Top Cow, and Boom! comic companies to create digital only "Motion Books" on their various properties. For IDW the plan is to create the motion comics for Transformers, Star Trek, and My Little Pony. From what I can tell this isn't the same as the Motion Comics movies Marvel created with Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men and Warren Ellis' Iron Man Extremis arc a few years ago but a much cheaper, shorter alternative. Various comic companies have explored something along this lines with Marvel's Infinite Comics and Mark Waid's Thrillbent Comics but the "animation" is done with almost old school style of flipping pages. Hit up the Thrillbent link to see what I mean. Madefire's implementation though takes a full page comic page and adds animation within panels or entire page. Currently it seems the experience is limited to iPad and iPhone with the average comic issue price at $1.99. The first video below is the companies "Launch Film" with a few samples of animating IDW art while the second video shows off a little bit more of the implementation.