More DOTM Concept Art

Another concept artist, Wesley Burt, has posted his work from Transformers: Dark of the Moon, joining the other four artists who posted their efforts. His art includes early designs for Igor, Wheeljack, and Laserbeak along with potential concepts for the various craft and Prime's trailer. Click here for the full gallery. (via Seibertron)

Names of Ferrari and Mercedes Is...

Nelson, admin for MichaelBay.com, has officially revealed the actual Transformers names of the red Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz E550.

Post 1:

Let's welcome the Ferrari 458 Italia to the Transformers family
His name is "Dino."
It's pronounced Dee-No.

Post 2:

And the Mercedes E550 is...
Que. Pronounced "Q."

The second post also had a link to the wikipedia article on the famous "Q" of the James Bond movies. The name of the Ferrari is out of left field and has no correspondence to Transformers that I am aware of. As for the "famous Italian”, Nelson said it is after Enzo Ferrari's son, Alfredo Ferrari for which the 458 was named in the design stage. There was also the Ferrari Dino from 1968-1976.

Ironically, the name of the Mercedes was leaked last July but none of us gave it serious thought that would be the final name mostly due to copyright/trademark problems with the 007 franchise. I guess the change in spelling to "Que" gets around that obstacle. The loud groan you here from California is probably everyone at Botcon as this news spreads. Thanks to NHLfan for the links.

Clarification About Wheelie and Wheeljack

For those upset about the red Ferrari not being called Mirage, this post might just be considered a pile on before it’s all said and done with news about Wheeljack. In a Shoot for the Edit thread called "Clarification", Nelson decided to clear up the confusion on who the buddy team is in the movie.

He wrote, "For some time now, I've implied through some of my post that Wheelie's sidekick was the Mercedes E550 (the E550 is a whole different character). It's not. My bad, my apologies. Brains is Wheelie's buddy. And what's Brain's alt-mode you ask? You'll have to wait and see. He later added, "I've read all the scripts in two languages. I got my two robots mixed up, plain and simple. Move on." This bit of info aligns with the comic and novel adaptations which revealed a character called "Brains" that is about the size of Wheelie.

DOTM Children Books Reveal Spoilers

Two images from book removed due to DCMA request from whoever the publisher is. If they had contacted me directly could have learned what else they found questionable but I guess contacting me directly like an adult is beyond their capabilities.

Last week a leak of the comic book adaptation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon revealed major story spoilers from the moon that was significant enough to get Don Murphy to force all sites (including this one) to take them down. The info is significant enough that I don't recommend looking for it. Now this week it seems the childrens' book of "The Lost Autobot" and "Optimus Prime's Friends and Foes" is doing the same thing but not nearly at the same degree as Cth from TFW2005 reports (mirror). Thanks to Feris Othman for the link.

To start with what I don't consider spoilers (the name and alt mode of characters), the images do finally confirm beyond doubt that the alt mode of Wheeljack (aka "Einstein")is the blue Mercedes-Benz E550. A whole lot of hints up to now made it common knowledge but this is the first real piece f official anything that put it all together. This would mean that Wheeljack is the new BFF for Wheelie that Nelson mentioned.

SPOILER WARNING!

Wheeljack Revealed?

An unofficial Transformers Dark of the Moon Facebook page has posted the below picture that could prove that the alt mode of Wheeljack is the blue Mercedes-Benz E550. The pic on the left is a panel from the comic book adaptation. From the comments, the image on the right is about 45 seconds into the trailer when Optimus enters warehouse talking about the "grave mistake" being made. There isn't enough detail to verify if the head matches "Einstein." Thanks to DJ.Bigtyme Beats for the link.

Dark of the Moon Comic Adaptation Preview Reveals Story Spoilers (Updated)

Per the request of Transformers: Dark of the Moon producer Don Murphy, the copyrighted images and spoilers have been removed. Due to the content of the comments, they have been cut off.

Amazon.com has posted a preview of the official comic book adaptation of Transformers: Dark of the Moon scheduled for release on May 25th. If you click the cover or "Search inside this book" you get about the first seven and last seven pages of the trade. A system error revealed more pages than intended leading to major story points being revealed.

I don't consider characters and alt modes to be spoilers. So knowing that, I will reveal that the leaked images did confirm that Soundwave's alt mode is the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as indicated by the game image. Also Wheeljack is a confirmed Autobot in the movie but I saw only has his name being said. Did not see his robot mode or vehicle mode to confirm if "Einstein", the blue 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550.

It should be noted that adaptations usually work from a final movie script along with designs and storyboards offered by production. However, as Sir Peter Jackson points out, there are three phases to a script - writing it, filming it and editing it. As a result what the comic shows for a scene and what the movie shows may not be the same. Certain elements like the major plot points, characters, etc tend to stay static due to cost but the specific details can easily change (scenes, characters, etc being left on cutting room floor).

If you wish to seek out the spoilers, that is up to you. Be warned the pages did reveal major plot and character developments in the story. If you are even a little bit sensitive about spoilers it is advised to not seek out that information.

Michael Bay Press Preview Transcript

/Film has posted the entire 7200 word transcript form the interviews that Michael Bay participated in when he screened portions of the film for the entertainment press. He briefly spoke of Frank Welker so can call that official confirmation he returns as Soundwave and mentioned a new character called "Brains" that could be the Einstein character (with Mercedes-Benz E550 alt mode). Bay goes into a great level of detail about the complications of shooting in 3D, experience of filming in Chicago, working with actors, film editing, sound design and more. Below are segments from the transcript but if want to read the whole thing, click here. Thanks to Winston for the link.

Question: Does this have a feeling of closure, this chapter?
Michael: I think so. But it still can be rebooted. Not with Shia. He’s turning grumpy in his old age.

Question: Out of curiosity, shooting in 3D, what did it make you rethink about axis in motion and progression…
Michael: A lot. I mean you’ve got to watch the panning because it strobes too much. You’ve got a guy on the set who’s got a control where when the camera goes like this, he can turn the 3D almost off. He sits there and it’s like if the robot comes close, we tell him what’s going on in the shot and he can kinda try to do where you want the eye to kind of look. But I can’t always check over him because there’s a lot going on on the set. So anyway, that was my process for doing it. I was able to shot about 60% native 3D, and then you’ve got 15% of all digital shots that were 3D, and then the rest is converted close-up stuff.

How "Q" Was Made

EuroTuner has posted an interesting article that gets into the details on Transformers: Dark of the Moon's Mercedes-Benz E550 was made. The Benz is the alt mode of Q (like 007) to represent his role with the Autobots. I nicknamed him "Einstein" because of his appearance. The details below, more pictures of Q can be found at EuroTuner or mirrored at TFW2005. Thanks to Sahara for the link.

As a long time CEC customer, the movie’s acclaimed Director/Producer, Michael Bay, contacted Claus Ettensberger at CEC to help design the newest Autobot for the upcoming action thriller. With a base Mercedes E550 as the platform, CEC went to work transforming two identical sedans into Decepticon killers with style.

The conversion included new custom blue paint, which was specifically chosen by Michael Bay to make the character stand out. The CEC enhancements incorporated a custom aerodynamic kit with a front spoiler, side skirts, rear apron, trunk spoiler, fenders, suspension and exhaust system. The stock wheels were replaced with CEC C725 forged wheels (20x8.5” front, 20x10” rear) and Michelin PS2 tires (245/30R20 front, 285/30R20).

TF3 Detroit: Set Prep and Transformers

J1000 is back on the case with information, pictures and video of the various shooting locations being used as production continues its possible final week in Detroit. It seems the Transformers 3 performed more infrastructure repair as several abandoned locations have been spruced up to look like stores fronts for filming. If missing a look at your favorite Autobot, he also has that covered with a few pictures of Prime, Bumblebee, and few others.

Today, I got to "Roll out" with Optimus and Ratchet, as I followed them from the Packard Plant to a new location [video below] (The Connor Creek Detroit Edison Plant; nothing really to be seen here, as it's fairly well isolated from the surrounding area. It's the large plant with two smoke stacks in the pics). I got a chance to get some great pics of all the Autobots that were present as well. There were two Bumblebees, two Sideswipes, two Ferraris, and two of the Benzs. They were being washed and prepped for shooting. They were also filming at the Fisher Building downtown today.

There's a set being finished up at Clifford and Woodward, where they've built what looks like a fake subway entrance/stairwell type thing in the street, and have been decorating a building for a few days. Today they painted "Park in Rear" and some arrows on it. Right next door to it, they have decorated the vacant former Michigan National Bank building to look like a lingerie store window front (presumably something that matches Chicago). The building is vacant/empty if you look in through the front doors. I'm not sure if the "Cobras Club - Gentleman's club" is part of the set or not, though it may be, as the name is spelled wrong on one side of the sign). Also, Central Station was getting A/V/Power cable wrapped all around it as they prepped it for shooting on the outside (they've been doing interior work for at least a week now). Filming will be taking place in several areas over the rest of the week.

J1000

TF3 Detroit: Bay's Big Guns

Transformers 3 continues to film in Detroit at the Packard Plant, this time with the huge engine looking prop spotted at the location a few weeks ago. Thanks once again to J1000 we have images and video of the likely stunt doubles for Shia and Rosie work on the prop along with Michael Bay prepping for the scene. The videos show the pair as Carly jumps from the potted plant ledge to Sam's arms while the ship/guns/turbines/whatever moves. The bluescreen makes me think this is an arm or something of a bigger Transformer.

According to a post at TFW2005, the scene involves Sam "jumping from the ship to a building." A Don Murphy member and set extra sigma1 also claimed to know what the shoot was for. Of note is the invoking of Wheeljack ("Einstein") as a TF cast member but that remains unverified. Thanks to Udana for the link.

Van Buren St. Footage, More from Nelson

Transformers 3 has moved to the Old Post Office Building in Chicago and already getting great footage. Yesterday introduced a new Autobot in the form of Rosenbaurer Panther airline fire truck. That is likely Ultra Magnus, who had a similar look for Transformers: Animated. Here is more footage from the Post Office set, this time at Van Buren Street as an explosion sends passing cars tumbling while NEST troops close in shooting up in the air suggesting the target is a Decepticon. The image and video is thanks to Adam and Tatjana.

In Nelson news, it turns out the "Einstein" that became "Q" is once again "Einstein" as the news of his "official" name was incorrect. Nelson took to his forums with message of "BTW, I don't know where they got that confirmation. I mean, my Bumblebee poster has "G" on the title, are they going to assume Bumblebee is now "G?"" I knew I should have kept the "?" in the post title. The confirmation refers to unattributed quote to Nelson along with me and others reading too much into the photo titles. Probably good news overall as it seemed most Transfans did not like the name . This means that Wheeljack once again becomes the prime suspect for that character. Thanks to FFN for the link.

The other piece of news is confirmation "No Jolt" for Transformers 3. Thanks to Chris for the link.

Mercedes' Transformer Name Revealed

Update: This is officially debunked by Nelson as the quote mentioned below did not come from him.

Yesterday the admin for MB.com, Nelson, verified the group name of the Nascar vehicles (The Wreckers) and revealed that the alt mode of "Einstein" is the blue Mercedes seen in Chicago with the other Transformers vehicles. At the time, he also corrected everyone that the Mercedes Benz is an E550, not E350 and linked to his picture of the car. Same pic I used for the post yesterday (and now today). However, I do not recall seeing the photo title of "Mercedes E550 "Q" on the set Transformers 3 in Chicago, Il" Not saying it was added later, just that didn't pay enough attention to remember if one was there or not. Main point is the title tells us the name of the character is simply "Q".

Could this be a reference to the omniscient god-like character from Star Trek: The Next Generation? Or the legendary Q (for Quartermaster) from the James Bond films that supplied him with all his gadgets along with sage advice as most memorably played by the late great Desmond Llewelyn? According to TFW2005, it is the latter as they posted "His name is "Q." Like in James Bond. -Nelson-” I wasn't able to find where the quote came from (guess via an email) but the flickr account is Nelson's so that verifies the Q name and I don't see Michael Bay (who ultimately approves the names assuming they clear legal) being much of a Star Trek fan so a James Bond homage is likely. I guess Wheeljack didn't get Bay's approval or legal's (Hasbro sadly allowed a lot of their G1 trademarks to lapse and couldn't retrieve all of them) as he was essentially the quartermaster of the Autobots in the G1 cartoons. Thanks to Chris and Jeff for the link.

One Name Theory Rejected, Two Confirmed (Updated)

In a new series of posts from Nelson, the webmaster for MichaelBay.com, more info on the Mercedes Benz E550 Autobot and another name for the Nascar vehicles has been rejected. One theory for the Benz is he is the replacement alt mode for Jolt. Not unreasonable considering the similar color scheme and shape.

Nelson posts the "Mercedes is not Jolt." He does indicate if Jolt is or is not in the movie so that remains unknown. He then later eleborates, "the blue Mercedes and the Einstein-looking bot are the same" confirming the suspicions of some. Sadly, "Einstein" remains nameless, with Nelson previously rejecting Kup and Perceptor as names. The current contender now seems to be Wheeljack. Thanks to Chris for the links.

While posting about the Benz, he also went ahead and quickly rejected another name about the Nascar vehicles. Previously guesses included Stunticons and Omnibots and now Nelson adds Rallybots to the rejection pile with a simple post of "No." to the idea.

The new theory, and maybe the best one yet, comes from an extra set report, who reportedly heard that TF3 production crew called them the "Wreckers" (now confirmed, see update below). Of all the names, I could see this one speaking to Bay the most simply due to his love of causing mass destruction. It also fits for their look with all the artillery. The Wreckers was created specifically for the comics by Simon Furman as an Autobot commando unit comprised of various and changing G1 characters. The IDW series, The Last Stand of the Wreckers is the most recent use of the team in comic continuity. Image and link from TFW2005.

Update: More from Nelson this time on the TFW2005 forums. He verified that the name of the Nascar cars with the post "They're Wreckers." He then followed that up with, "That's what they're referred to as on the set," confirming the set report on that regard. Last, he made a correction (with pic) on the model of the Mercedes Benz as an E550, not E350 as I had guess incorrectly as the number from pictures. Still not sure of the year but assume 2011. The cheat sheet has been updated accordingly.

More Shockwave & Soundwave, Extended Bay Video and More

Thank to new pictures from mtoeset, we have verification that Shockwave joins the Decepticon cause. As the picture show with clarity, this has to be Shockwave with the cyclops eye and I think purple color but the large red lightning (which caused the helmet look in previous picture) makes it difficult to tell for sure. The head next to him is of course Soundwave (also spotted the other day).

The cut-outs are used for special effects, camera coverage and actor eye-lines and suggest that both characters enter the action at ground level in some form or fashion. The real question is since Shockwave's G1 alt mode was a Cybertronian gun and his appearances after that was a Cybertronian tank, what will his alt mode be now? To view the rest of mtoeset's pictures which includes Bumblebee, Ratchet and the cast at work, click here. Thanks to Feris and DJ BigTyme Beats for the link.

Nelson from MB.com has now posted the extended edition of his Transformers 3 Chicago set video. According to TFW2005, the differences is Rosie talking to Tyrese, Bay and company greeting the crowd, a look at the Ferrari 458 Italia & Mercedes-Benz E350 Autobots, a scene being shot, and a brief look at TF3 teaser poster.

As for more videos, the one after the extended MB.com video is a compilation video that shows of a Chicago transfan capturing a lot of new footage I have not seen before. The beginning shows the probable stunt double for Shia running down the street, jumping over and under cars. After that you get a look at them filming at Hotel 71, from office windows, and a slideshow of more photos. Thanks again to DJ Big for the link. The second shows Shia LaBeouf in Chicago meeting the fans, taking pictures and signing autographs. Thanks to Josh P. for the link.

Two Transformers Theories Denied, At Trump Tower

Nelson, the admin for Michael Bay.com, denied two theories that have popped up during the Chicago shoot over the last two weeks. Now, we all know that Bay has a notorious "misinformation campaign" which basically means he will lie to the fans to preserve the secrets of the film. Not a fan but understand the motivation. Nelson, if my memory serves, has not directly participated in that. For that reason I see no reason not to take his information at face value.

The first regards the three Nascar vehicles. Early on, depending on the website, they were referred to as Stunticons and Omnibots. Nelson says "...all I'll tell you is that they're not Stunticons or Omnibots." For lack of an alternative, I am going to continue to reference them as either the Nascar vehicles or Stunticons.

The second, referencing my theory that the "Einstein" robot spotted on the Chicago set was Kup was also rejected with "Wrong, no Kup." My next thought then was Perceptor. As Nelson put it, "Try again." At this point, I have no idea who the character is so will go with "Einstein" until a better name presents itself.

So for those mourning the loss of Kup from the movie, here is a video of the previous mentioned base jumping from Trump Tower in Chicago.

TF3 Chicago: New Transformers Revealed, Explosion, and More

Sunday comes to a close in Chicago as Transformers 3 production continues. The day brought more excitement as pyrotechnic scenes were filmed and an Einstein like Transformers head was photographed. Tyrese Gibson also joined in with some set photos of his own he posted via his twitter account.

The pictures from The Scorecard Review show the heads of Bumblebee and a mysterious new "gray-haired" Transformer with glasses being held up in the air. The heads are to help the actors with line of sight. I don't know what the alt mode is of this new Transformer but I get a sneaking suspicion this might be Kup (now rejected). The pictures also show Bay doing his directing thing and more from the set. Hit link above for rest. Thanks to CypherXR for the link.

As for Tyrese's pictures, they show the gang getting cover from a quick rain storm, the set, Josh, and him and Shia with a child's picture that shows Bumblebee that says "Unite". Thanks to Schellenbach for the heads up. Last bit, click here for more photos from ENI.

Also below are five videos. The first is a sky high view of a scene being filmed that involves explosions (TF weapons fire?), extras running while Shia and Rosie hide in a car. The next video is crowd reaction to those explosions. The third has Battle Damaged Shia LaBeouf taking a moment to sign autographs and take photos with the crowd. The fourth video shows that it seems the action involves more than just the bridge as a damaged boat is spotted and last, more stuff from the feeds. Thanks to Mauricio for the first four video links and Shockwaved for the last one.