Transformers 4 Chicago Filming Going Out With Bang, New Vid and Galleries

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Transformers: Age of Extinction's Chicago leg of principle photography is planning to go out with a literal bang. The crew will return to the South Damen Avenue abandoned silo for what their source called the "mother of all bombs". While the site will probably not be open the public, it still might be visible from a distance. Meanwhile, filming this weekend including a car flipping into a bus with other filming at the South Wacker Drive location being used as a China street. The vids below shows some smaller pyrotechnics and cars flipping for a seen further down from the bus's location.

In addition a few new pics of a Chevrolet Suburban chasing the Pagani and Freightliner suggests the return of the Decepticon Dreads from Dark of the Moon. Rather then repeat that sequence I am more inclined to think it is Harold Attinger's soldiers. Last, cmraseye has posted another 50 pics from various Chicago TF4 sets over the last month up on his flickr account. You can find those new images here. Thanks to Wynton R. and Jeffrey Marshall for the links.

Transformers 4 Adds Wulong Karst to Film Location Slate

An article in the Chongqing Evening News has revealed some of the locations that Transformers: Age of Extinction will be filming at the Wulong Karst which contains the Three Natural Bridges and Qingkou Tiankeng Scenic Area. Sounds like a nice prehistoric location to potential explain the origin of the Dinobots. Below is the google translation of the story reporting the info so you do not be surprised if some of it doesn't really make sense. For example, there is a suggestion the Chinese title of the film is "Transformers 4: Extinct Rebirth" but my guess that is the translation of a translation resulting in the weird english version that isn't correct.

Images and Video from Transformers 4 Car Through Bus Stunt, New Cast Pic

On Saturday, Transformers 4 filming continued in Chicago, Illinois at South Wacker Drive and West Monroe Street for a stunt that involved sending a car through a bus. As the video and great images from cmraseye show the location seems to be for events set in China as the bus is covered in Victoria's Secret models and Chinese characters as is the surrounding set pieces. The particulars of the piece show "pyro horns" set inside the bus that get ignited as the car is tossed through it. My guess is a sizable robot is doing the flinging. The second set of pictures are other images cmraseye posted but not entirely sure if they were from Saturday's filming. The last image is a new official picture posted on MichaelBay.com of the core cast of Mark Walhberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor as they pose in nonsensical ways in front of an abandoned gas station. If interested in more pics from Saturday's filming, The Chicago Tribune has posted their own images here. Thanks to Jeffrey Marshall for the heads-up and Colin H. for the video and links.

New Images from Transformers 4 Sets and Official Bay Image (Updated)

It has been a quiet few days as Monday and Tuesday was Transformers: Age of Extinction's weekend off and for now we don't really know where they are currently filming in the Chicago area. However, that doesn't mean do not have some interesting pictures to look at thanks to cmraseye. He has posted new images from filming at the Damen Avenue silo to go with his set from Saturday. The pics show part of an explosion set off that day but also a great look at the spacecraft prop that the cast has been filming on here and there for the last month or so. He also added a few bonus pictures that are worth checking out from filming last month. The last pic is a new official picture from Transformers 4 that shows Michael Bay in the middle of the action. The rest of cmraseye TF4 gallery can be found here. Thanks to Jeffrey Marshall for the heads-up and KennyD for corrected pic.

Update: Added few more images from the gallery, turns out it had a page 2 I missed. Also provided a flipped version of what many of figure is probably the Pagani Huayra. I am not sure where some of the photos were taken but they look cool. Most look better than the official over photoshopped, color-corrected Bay picture.

Transformers 4 Heading to South Wacker Drive

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Transformers: Age of Extinction will be filming around 111 South Wacker Drive this weekend and that it will involve pyrotechnics. The article suggests this might be the last weekend in the city. Thanks to Colin H. for the link.

The robotos-in-disguise sequel starring Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer will be shooting around the 111 S. Wacker Drive building from 7 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday. According to a letter sent out to businesses in the area, “Filming will involve the use of live stunts and large pyrotechnics.”

And now for the boring part: Street closures will take place on Wacker Drive from Washington to Adams, Franklin Street from Madison to Adams, Monroe Street from Canal to Franklin and Madison Street from Canal to Franklin.

First Transformers: Age of Extinction Trailer Set for Next Year

A special Hasbro Transformers Supplement for Toy News Magazine has provided the overall road map for Transformers: Age of Extinction for 2014. The main piece of news is that the 1st trailer isn't expected until Q1 2014 (January 1st to March 31). However, this doesn't mean that a teaser trailer isn't in the pipeline for a release during the holidays. The roadmap also indicates "product on the shelf on May 1st" which probably is referring to the wave of Age of Extinction toys. The plan also indicates the home video release of Transformers 4 is set for the holidays 2014, typical as most summer movies do that. Last is an "all new animated event" but no idea if that means a movie, a new cartoon series or what. So basically it looks like Transformers: Age of Extinction is going to follow the same release and marketing plan that proved successful for the previous three movies. (via TFW2005)

Transformers Prime Season Three Home Video Details

Hasbro has officially announced the release of Transformers Prime Season Three - Beast Hunters for DVD and Blu-ray as set for December 3, 2013. This is the 13 episodes of the final season of the series, not the Predacon Rising epilogue movie that will be released next week. The bonus content for the S3 release will include the Transformers Prime panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2013 and audio commentary for unspecified episodes. The full press release is below.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, BRING HOME THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE ULTIMATE TRANSFORMERS PRIME FAN AND COMPLETE THEIR HOME ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTION!

TRANSFORMERS PRIME: SEASON THREE - BEAST HUNTERS

Third and Final Season of Emmy® Award-Winning Series of TRANSFORMERS PRIME Debuts on Breathtaking 2-Disc Blu-ray Collection and Deluxe 2-DVD Set

SPECTACULAR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT LANDS IN STORES EVERYWHERE ON DECEMBER 3, 2013 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

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

Images from Transformers 4 Silo Set

As indicated by a notice, Transformers: Age of Extinction filming moved to an abandoned silo off of Damen Avenue in Chicago for filming Saturday and Sunday. The silos have been dressed in Chinese characters with Chinese branded trucks and the like dressing the surrounding area. In the 1st set of pics by cmraseye, you can see that a conveyor belt bridge going between the two sections of silos and has been rigged with explosives. Also on the lot next to it are the gunship and obelisk props along with two rocket pieces. The 2nd set shows the aftermath of the bridge being destroyed.

The last set, taken by Colin H., was taken after most of the day's filming was completed. Filming will continue at the location tomorrow with what I assume will be more destruction. No images or videos so far of the explosions during the day but destruction at that level can be extremely dangerous so security is probably very tight. Cmraseye has more images from movies filming in the Chicago area, including TF4, here. Thanks to Colin for the pictures and Jeffrey Marshall for the link.

Transformers 4 Bayhem Planned for This Weekend

A notice for this weekend indicates that Transformers 4 production will be using an abandoned silo site off of Damen Avenue in Chicago for "Stunts involving pyrotechnics including controlled explosions and a visible fireball will be part of several scenes." Full notice from OLN is below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 19, 2013

IDOT: Filming of Major Motion Picture near 2900 S. Damen Avenue in Chicago September 21- 22

Chicago- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that weather permitting,

Paramount Pictures will be filming scenes for an upcoming motion picture on the following dates at the following locations:

Transformers 4 Roosevelt Road Scene Video

Last weekend the site was able to post fantastic pictures of Transformers 4 production was filming on Chicago's Roosevelt Road. The scene involves Mark Wahlberg and Jack Reynor running out of Bumblebee while a helicopter films it. Below is a video of the same scene before, during and after. (via TFormers)

The tall guy in the red shirt at 00:20 is Chicago Bulls basketball player Jimmy Butler. In the scene, you will see Mark Wahlberg and his co-actor Jack Reynor jumping out of Bumble Bee. It is shot by a helicopter. The white round ball in front of the helicopter is a camera. Later, at 02:13 you will see the same scene being shot close up from the ground. You will see the director Michael Bay at 02:18 [wearing all white]. After the scene, the actors hand out their microphones and leave. It is a great experience to watch how they shoot a scene. The whole movie team was very polite to people, so were the director and the actors. Can't wait to see it in the movie theater!

Transformers China Exhibition Gallery

Not sure of the details but the Transformers China 2013 Exhibition is being held somewhere in the country. The main takeaway for fans is lots of Transformers from the last 30 years of the franchise in both in and out of boxes covering all eras. In addition it looks like they created diorama of scenes from the three movies using toys and other things. To check out the full details head to ACToys (mirror).

Transformers: Age of Extinction Release Date Has Not Changed

For reasons that confuse me, as part of articles about the next Terminator film getting bumped a week in 2015, several news sites felt a need to also report that Paramount has "officially confirmed" the release date of Transformers: Age of Extinction as June 27, 2014. Which is the same date Paramount announced last year in casting reports. And has been repeated in other press releases and promotional materials like the recent poster. In other words, its been official for about a year. The release date has not changed. Consider this a friendly FYI to ignore any articles about Transformers 4 changing dates.

Transformers 4 Weapons Picture (Updated)

A TFW2005 board member has posted the image (left) of four weapons that were spotted at a Pontiac, Michigan location being used as a storehouse for Transformers 4 production while they film in the state. These 4 are in addition to one that Mark Wahlberg's character has been spotted carrying. Exactly what the weapons are for remains unknown but their scale indicates they would fit fairly comfortably in a Transformer's hand. Any case speculate away in the comments.

Update: Picture pulled at the demand of Paramount Pictures. Which has the side effect of confirming that the 4 sword like weapons are part of Transformers 4 production.

Transformers 4 Roosevelt Road Filming Pics

Today Transformers 4 filmed on Chicago's Roosevelt Road that involved a helicopter filming Mark Wahlberg and Jack Reynor running out of Bumblebee (2014 Camaro) as extras ran behind them. Also on the set was the Stingray, Hound and nearby was white camaro. Colin H, who took the fantastic pictures here, also reported seeing the 1st Transformers movie Bumblebee (not a fan recreation) vehicle driving towards the set. They still use those vehicles for promotional purposes so doesn't mean its in the movie.

IDW December 2013 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for December 2013. Four comics and two trades are being released for the month. Dark Cybertron story (beats me on what that is), while the Beast Hunters comic concludes. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, and more click here.

Transformers 4 Heading to Chicago's Well Street Area This Weekend

A new filming notice from Transformers: Age of Extinction indicates that production will be in the Wells Street to Roosevelt Road area on Friday and Saturday. As usual the notice gives no indication on what scenes will be filmed but it will have some Bayhem. According to the notice, "pyrotechnics and fireballs will be used. A violent car crash will be staged on Roosevelt." A helicopter will also be filming the scenes with its landing area in a nearby vacant lot.

Description of LaSalle Filming Last Week

Last weekend, Transformers: Age of Extinction filmed in the LaSalle Street area for two days. Exactly what was filmed remains mostly unknown as it was closed off to the public much more effectively than normal. It seems part of that was because the usual Bayhem was in play as a description from the Chicago Tribune indicates lots of pyrotechnics and exploding vehicles was filmed. Thanks to Colin H. for the link.

Most spectators, however, had to settle for listening to much of the action rather than watching it due to the barricades set up to keep people blocks away. Explosions could be heard echoing through LaSalle, but it's unclear what exactly was exploding. One production assistant claimed a Bud Light delivery truck was blown up during one scene, sending beer flying out onto the streets, but the Chicago Film Office was unable to confirm it.

Mark Wahlberg Discusses Kids Cameo, Dinobots

In a quick interview with MTV, Mark Wahlberg refused to confirm the Dinobots but he did talk about the cameo his kids filmed with Michael Bay (as he mentioned would happen a few months ago). He makes a reference to Transformers: Age of Extinction being $300 million movie. Its not. Probably in the $175 to $150 range just like the previous movies.

"You can't say that, dude. Did you leak it? Did you leak it? You leaked it," he said. "Somebody leaked it, dude. Somebody was on the set leaked it, and it is not OK. It's not cool."

So is that a confirmation of the Dinobots from Wahlberg? Not quite. "I don't know," he said. "I haven't seen no Dinobot, so don't put that on me."

Images and Video from Transformers 4 LaSalle Shoot

In addition to filming at a church, Sunday also including some scenes in Chicago's LaSalle Street area for Transformers: Age of Extinction. Its not really known what was filmed but as the images and video taken by Rob Reines show, it did seem to involve the Autobot fleet. The first images show the fleet part on the side of the road. While hard to tell, the white Camaro in the 2nd pic is parked in front of the Optimus Prime truck in the 1st pic. The car does seem to be part of production in some form or fashion as Rob noticed the car was getting the same special care as the Autobot vehicles with a wipedown to keep its shine. Since both 'Bees were there, I am wondering if 'Bee scans the white one to update himself from the '67 to 2014 Camaro. After the break is his video from the street with Prime cab taking a quick and doing a careful u-turn.