Introducing Hound's Vehicle Mode (Updated)

MichaelBay.com has confirmed that the green military vehicle spotted on Transformers 4 Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park set is Hound. The vehicle is "The always rugged and reliable Hound, one of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles from Oshkosh Defense. High resolution photo: http://bayhem.com/16wz8Oj." In Generation One, Hound's alt mode was a military jeep but over the years he has varied from jeep to truck while maintaining his military green color scheme. One constant of the character is his should missile. Will his robot mode have it too? Thanks to The Chad and Wynton R for the heads-up.

Update: Much like Pixel Rally's Jeffrey Marshall did with Optimus Prime, below is a modified look at Hound that really makes the vehicle look good.

Transformers: The Ride Soft Opens at Universal Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando has opened Transformers: The Ride starting this weekend. The "soft opening" is not the official grand opening of the new attraction but something that is done a few weeks before to work out any kinks and problems that may come up. As a result The Ride may be open and closed at random times of the day depending on whatever needs they have to address. The grand opening of The Ride is scheduled for June 20th. Below are several videos that show off the new attraction from outside, in the queue and portions of The Ride itself.

Transformers Prime 3.07 Plus One Promo and Clip

Today on The Hub, a new episode of Transformers Prime Beast Hunters airs at 7:30PM EST. Called "Plus One", "while on a mission to gather a Precadon bone relic, Agent Fowler finds himself in a tight squeeze with Jack's mother." It seems the hunt for Predacon parts continue. The promo and a clip for the ep is below, the previous two eps of TF Prime are at Hub World. After next week's episode, TF Prime will go encore the most recent four episodes then resume with a new one on June 28th.

Upcoming Episodes:
06/07 - Thirst (3.08) - Knock Out and Starscream experiment with synthetic lead and threaten to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.
06/28 - Evolution (3.09) - Megatron questions the results of Project Predacon.

Another New Transformers Vehicle Revealed?

A new vehicle has been spotted at the Transformers 4 set in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. As the images from donnieboy_09 and instamgramjerk show is a green military type truck that is traveling with the other known Autobots vehicles. New Transformer vehicle and if so for what character? Thanks for Mauri D for the info.

Bumblebee's Alt Mode Confirmed for Transformers 4

MichaelBay.com has confirmed that the yellow and black vehicle photographed at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park where Transformers 4 is currently filming is the alt mode of Bumblebee. The site says 'Bee is a "highly modified, vintage 1967 Camaro SS." Hi-res images of the car can be found here.

What kind of customizations have been added? Pro-Touring forums might have some ideas as they have noticed that the custom design of Bumblebee seems to match what "Mr Vengeance" built two years ago for his '67 Camaro. The details on his mods are here. Thanks to J1000, Tony and others for the links.

First Look at Bumblebee's New Alt Mode? (Updated)

As Transformers 4 continues to film around Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, it seems a fourth Transformer was spotted riding around the area with the green C7 Corvette Stingray. The vehicle appears to have a black and yellow color scheme and shape that looks a whole lot like the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters version of Bumblebee. Additional images posted by rezzieboi shows off more of the Optimus Prime vehicle mode, references Bumblebee underneath a tarp, another look at the Vitesse. Also of note is a very rusted truck that looks almost identical to the Generation One alt mode of Prime. Thanks to Mauri D for finding the images.

Update: Added to more images from mar10stm and killersquirrell that showcase the potential Bumblebee vehicle. With all the black and what appears to be a much older design, starting to think this is Jack Reynor character's race car and not a TF alt mode.

Names of Two New Autobots Revealed? (Updated)

JoBlo think they have the character names for the two new Autobot vehicles being used in Transformers 4. The site reports "According to the source the C7 Corvette Stingray is named "Slingshot" and the Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse is named "Drift". There are two Autobots with the same names from Transformer's first generation of characters but it isn't completely clear if they will be the same characters or just share the same names." The site previously had provided a list of potential characters in the film including the Dinobots. Drift is a recent creation from the IDW comic book series and not part of the original toy line. Slingshot was a member of the Aerialbots and consistently had a plane alt mode for the various toy lines.

Bay's Shoot for the Edit admin commented, "This is the 4th movie, you would think these guys would've learned by now that production names DO NOT EQUAL final name". If take his statement literally, it seems the names are correct but the final decision has not been made on keeping them. Despite his claim, most of the pre-production names for the characters went on to be used in the movies and toys. All this remains in the rumor category as Optimus Prime is currently the only officially confirmed Transformer character returning to the franchise. The site tweeted the below video to show off the speed of the Bugatti.

New Vehicle Mode of Optimus Prime Revealed (Updated)

Yesterday who got a look at two new Autobot vehicles and now we have the new look at another one. According to MichaelBay.com, the image to the left is "The completely upgraded, custom-built Optimus Prime from Western Star (a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America)." Hi-Res images of the cars can be found on Flickr stream.

Update: Below is the same image but modified by Jeffrey Marshall of Pixel Rally so that it is less "sepia-toned." The result is the colors of Prime really pops out. While still not a big fan of the flames, I do like his Transformers Prime-like shape.

Transformers 4 Principle Photography Begins, Two Autobot Vehicles Introduced

Today principle photography on Transformers 4 has officially begun according to MicahelBay.com in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona. The site also posted pictures (below) of two Autobot vehicles, a green 2014 Corvette Stingray and 2013 black & blue Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse. As for what characters these gorgeous vehicles represent, only time will tell. Thanks to Mauri D. for the heads-up. Update: Hi-Res images of the cars can be found on site's Flickr stream. Thanks to Jeffrey Marshall for the link.

The caption for Stingray:

Transformers 4 Starts Filming in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Images From A Transformers 4 Farm Set (Updated)

New photos from a potential set for Transformers 4 has popped up on Instagram. Taken by blackdaggerbrotherhood from Austin, Texas the images (below) show a farm set. Its exact purpose is not known but the user applied a lot of hashtags to go with the pics, the key ones being #transformers4, #fbi and #chase. I don't think filming has started there, just that the site is being prepped for it. Thanks to Mauri D. for the link.

Update: Mauri spoke with blackdaggerbrotherhood and he said he was part of the crew that built the roads around the barn, house and pond for a chase scene while "did not do any of the cosmetics on the building ...will be assisting the stunt crew with ramps and stuff." Sounds like a lot of fun.

TJ Miller Joins Transformers 4 Cast

Comedian T.J. Miller has joined the cast of Transformers 4, playing the best friend of Mark Wahlberg's character. The role, like Wahlberg, is a mechanic (one assumes race cars) but no name has been provided. If the actor seems somewhat familiar, he is currently one of the leads on Fox's The Goodwin Games that is airing on Mondays. He also was in Cloverfield and voices Tuffnut in the How To Train Your Dragon franchise.

Transformers Prime #1, More Than Meets the Eye #17 Previews

Tomorrow brings two Transformers comics to stores with Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #17 and Transformers Prime Beast Hunters #1. Beast Hunters more or less picks up were War for Cybertron left off with the Dinobots left behind on Cybertron. Its preview of the first issue is here. MTMTE continues doing its comedic/drama thing as more stuff that has nothing to do with the Knights of Cybertron happens to the crew of the Lost Light. The preview of #17 is here.

Transformers Age of Extinction Cheat Sheet

This is a "cheat sheet" for Transformers 4 that attempts to summarize the details on the movie as it comes in. As a result consider this a Spoiler Warning. Verified means the information either came from someone associated with the film (an actor, director, producer, etc.) or through mainstream press (CNN, THR, etc.) so unlikely to be false (but no guarantees). Feel free to comment on any inaccuracies or new info that isn't reflect in the sheet. The below is ultimately speculation and rumor until officially confirmed through those with the production of the film.

Extras Casting Call for Detroit

Yesterday a casting call for Austin, Texas was posted and now today it is Detroit, Michigan's turn. The Michigan Film Office has posted a Transformers 4 extras casting for next Friday May 31 and June 1 from 10AM to 3PM at the Somerset Inn in Troy, Michigan. They are looking for 18+ male and females that can look like "clean cut business types", military, and FBI agents while also casting for Asian families of all ages. According to CBS Detroit, they are casting for parts that will later film sometime in the June to August range. The full details can be found here (PDF). Thanks Wynton R. and J1000 for the links.

Extras Casting Call for Transformers 4 In Austin

Beth Sepko Casting and Third Coast Extras facebook page has posted a variety of variety of extras for Transformers 4 when it starts filming in Austin, Texas for a date range of June 3-20th. The extras include a white or hispanic "mom" or "dad" (details), 35-65 year old "character" faces that seem to fit what a non-Texan might imagine what Texans look like (details here and here), 16-23 white female hotties (details), and what looks like extras for a crowd scene since the age range is 9-12 and 18-80s (details). As always, warning about applying for untrustworthy ads and remember the whole point of extra casting is they pay you for your time, not that you pay them. Also if are not in the Austin, Texas area for that date range, don't waste their time submitting your info. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

Transformers Prime 3.06 Chain of Command Promo

Tomorrow on The Hub, a new episode of Transformers Prime Beast Hunters airs. Called Chain of Command, "tension builds within the Autobots team as they face the return of the Predacon." The last episode ended with the Decepticons finding the remains of a new predacon for cloning. The promo for the ep is below, the previous two eps of TF Prime at Hub World.

Upcoming Episodes:
05/31 - Plus One (3.07) - While on a mission to gather a Precadon bone relic, Agent Fowler finds himself in a tight squeeze with Jack's mother.
06/07 - Thirst (3.08) - Knock Out and Starscream experiment with synthetic lead and threaten to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.

General Morshower Not Returning to Transformers 4

While attending the Texas Frightmare Weekend at the beginning of May, Transformers' Glenn Morshower told fans that he would not be in Transformers 4 citing a scheduling conflict as they had begun filming and he couldn't fit the film in. Last year the actor had said he though he would be in Transformers 4 and 5 so I guess the story changed and didn't need his role of General Morshower. Considering Michael Bay frequently has said Transformers 4 is going in a different direction, losing the military angle would be a good start. Thanks to Shane E. for the info.

Rumor: New Characters for Transformers 4

JoBlo.com is reporting their sources have revealed some of the potential Transformers characters and brief story points that might be in Transformers 4. JoBlo's track record is iffy at best but that doesn't mean this isn't one of the times they get it right so spoiler warning. None of this is remotely confirmed so take it with a grain of salt. If the previous movies are any indication, it will be a while before we have any real information on what TF characters will be in the movie. Thanks to Wynton R. for the heads-up.

Rumored TF Characters:
• Optimus Prime - rides Grimlock into battle in Hong Kong
• Bumblebee - rides Swoop into battle in Hong Kong
• Grimlock and the Dinobots - as Autobots somehow "brought back to life by a captured Optimus Prime"
• Lockdown - as Decepticon
• Hound - as Autobot
• Drift - as former Decepticon, now Autobot trying to regain his honor (yep the IDW comic character)
• Galvatron - "basically Megatron reborn"; unclear if summarizing the character as potentially used in the movie or his Transformers: The Movie (1986) origin

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #17 Preview

Tomorrow brings Transformers: Robots in Disguise #17 to stores. Last issue ended with something that has never happened in Transformers history - Starscream winning control of Cybertron. Now the next story arc begins with a focus on Shockwave and his origin story. A preview of the issue can be found here.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #17
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a) • Ramondelli, Casey Coller (c)
SHOCKWAVES! The fate of Cybertron is sealed—but what is the DECEPTICON scientist called SHOCKWAVE planning? After the stunning revelations in MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, learn the origin of the one-eyed, gun-handed master of machinations… and the countdown begins for the biggest TRANSFORMERS event in comic book history.
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Li Bingbing Joins Transformers 4 Cast

The China side of Transformers 4 production has found one of their 4 or so actors professional actors by casting Li Bingbing in the movie. The actress is an A-list actress in China while a complete unknown in Hollywood with her first big role being Ada Wong in Resident Evil: Retribution.

The press release (below) for the casting, Michael Bay said "I am excited to have Li Bingbing join our cast and to be shooting portions of the movie in her native China. I have always aspired to work with the best actors and this cast is especially exciting now with the addition of Li."

Walhberg's Character Named, TF4 Prepping in Austin

Examiner.com is reporting that Transformers 4 is expected to start principal photography "beginning late May, 2013" and as started looking for extras in the area and LA for the film. In addition, while summarizing the casting of the film, they provided the name of Mark Wahlberg's father character as Flynn Vincent joining the only other named role of Harold Attinger (Kelsey Grammer). Details on the Austin extras casting is here. Thanks to Sam and Wynton for the heads-up.

Transformers Prime Returns Tonight With Project Predacon

After four weeks of "encore" episodes, Transformers Prime is starting its next run of four new episodes on The Hub at 7:30pm EST, starting with Project Predacon. The first four left off with a repair and more powerful Prime rejoining the Autobots. In this need episode, "The Decepticons launch a new scheme to clone an army of beasts." Below is the promo, clip and a look at Predaking. The last video is the new opening posted by hitfix that has a "heavier rock version" of the opening theme that was composed by Brian Tyler (Iron Man 3).

Upcoming Episodes:
05/24 - Chain of Command (3.06) - Tension builds within the Autobot team as they face the return of the Predacon.
05/31 - Plus One (3.07) - While on a mission to gather a Precadon bone relic, Agent Fowler finds himself in a tight squeeze with Jack's mother.
06/07 - Thirst (3.08) - Knock Out and Starscream experiment with synthetic lead and threaten to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.

IDW August 2013 Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for August 2013. Five comics and one trade are coming out that month. The Monstrosity mini-series is the same as the current digital only series just in printed form. The Transformers Prelude trade is just the last six spotlight issues collected together. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, Locke & Key, and more click here.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #20
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a) • Griffith, Casey Coller (c)
NEW CYBERTRON! It’s a brand new day—and STARSCREAM is in charge! But running a planet isn’t as easy as it looks… if BUMBLEBEE couldn’t do it, why does the former DECEPTICON think he can?
2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Sophia Myles Added To Transformers 4 Cast

The Wrap is reporting that Sophia Myles (Moonlight, MI-5) has joined the cast of Transformers 4 in a "major supporting role" that might be a scientist. This will add her to the already known leads of Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Kelsey Grammer. Considering her lovely looks, I suspect it probably will evolve into a love interest of sorts for Wahlberg's character. I enjoyed watching her on Moonlight (a vampire series cancelled just before vampire stuff became popular again with Twilight) so please with the addition. Transformers 4 starts principal photography in June or July in Detroit or Chicago (reports vary). Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

Amazing Transformers Inspired Costume

Below is a video of a sweet movie Transformers inspired costume called Bolt with moving parts, light up eyes, jet pack smoke thrusters, moving mouth and more. The sound is off because Marc De Repentigny got a notice about the background music that was playing. You can also find a gallery of images for the suit at MarksProjects.com.

China's Transformers 4 Reality Show Begins Casting Process

Transformers 4 Chinese Actor Talent Search reality show to find 4 actors for the movie has started its casting process. The reality show is culling from 50,000 to 80,000 entries to find 2 professional and 2 amateur actors to play unspecified roles in the movie when filming starts sometime this summer in the country. The show is a result of a "cooperation agreement" between China and Paramount for unspecified financial, promotional and political assistance for the movie.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the paring down process will occur in several rounds. The first round will have the television station running the show pare down the contestants based on unknown criteria and putting their bio, photo and audition tape online. The top 400 chosen by Chinese citizens via online voting will move to the semi-final round where there will be additional auditions and testing (for what is not specified). Another round of online voting will move to the finalists round where 6 judges will continue to eliminate contestants until the final four actors are chosen. Basically its the American Idol model without the initial touring the country episodes.

Transformers: The Ride Orlando Opens June 20th

My prediction that Transformers: The Ride Orlando would open on Memorial Day weekend turned out to be off by a month as today Universal Studios announced the official open date as Thursday, June 20th. Press release below.

The highly anticipated blockbuster attraction TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D will officially open on Thursday, June 20, 2013, Universal Orlando announced today.
Universal also launched an all-new “Join the Resistance” Facebook experience to prepare fans for the battle they’ll experience on the mega-attraction. “Recruits” can create their very own NEST IDs, train for battle, access exclusive photos and video and win prizes – including a trip to the attraction’s grand opening celebration on June 20. Click here to join the resistance.

Transformers 4 Casts Its (Human) Villain

Deadline is reporting that Kelsey Grammer (Boss, Frasier) has been cast as the human bad guy for Transformers 4. According to the site he is playing "Harold Attinger, a counter intelligence guy." The site also says production is supposed to start in July (rather then the rumored June I guess). No more details then that. As a long time fan of his work, it should be interesting to see how he chews the scenery. Thanks to Wynton R. for the link.

Transformers: The Ride Orlando Campaign Begins

Universal Studios Orlando has begun their campaign for the grand opening of Transformers: The Ride. The attraction is already open in Hollywood and Singapore. The new campaign is beginning much the same as the Hollywood one with an outline of Megatron on the Fairwinds Credit Union with a "home video" (below) of an encounter with the Decepticon. The last time they started the marketing it was to later announce the attraction would open Memorial Day weekend which this year is May 24th to 27th. Another sign that the attraction is nearly ready to go is these great pictures from Wynton R. that show of the completed attraction building with stocked gift shop.