Movie Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Up for Auction

If you have way to much money burning a hole in your pocket then you might be interested in the Barrett-Jackson auction of an Optimus Prime and Bumblebee vehicles. The Optimus Prime vehicle is the 1992 Peterbilt stunt truck that was used in the first three films while Bumblebee is the 1967 Chevy Camaro from Age of Extinction. No estimated of what prices the two vehicles are expected to get but you can read the full details here. Info on the Prime auction is here and Bumblebee here.

Everything Wrong with Transformers: Age of Extinction in Two Parts

After the Honest Trailer we know have Cinema Sins take in their Everything Wrong series. Their Everything Wrong with Transformers: Age of Extinction had so many sins that they had to split it into two parts. As usual for the series, most of the sins are spot on. And love those bonus rounds.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Out Now

Just in case you were not away, in the US, China and other parts of the world Transformers: Age of Extinction is now out (or has been for at least half a day). Overall critics hate the movie without about the same level of disdain as they did the previous three movies with almost the same identical complaints. The summation, which applies to all four films now, comes down to fantastic visual effects combined with a poor story, paper thin characters, indistinguishable (in personality and look) Transformers characters and too long a run time. The current Metacritic score is 31% while Rotten Tomatoes is at 13%. Too early to see what the audience things on those sites but feel free to add your thoughts on the movie in the comments below.

Michael Bay Recommends IMAX 3D for Transformers 4

In a letter posted on MichaelBay.com, the director himself posted a note recommended that the best way to view Transformers: Age of Extinction is IMAX 3D with ATMOS Sound. Most theaters in the US and around the world are not equipped for either but for the lucky few it might be worth looking into. His note below or link above. Thanks to Mackie U for the heads-up.

The best way to see this movie is definitely in IMAX 3D.

By far.

Beijing Pangu and Paramount Work Out Disagreement

After a pretty strongly worded message (for corporations) from Beijing Pangu Investment Company demanding that all property and references to their Pangu Plaza Hotel be removed from Transformers: Age of Extinction, they have now announced that all is well. “After friendly consultations, the two sides have achieved mutual trust, and reached an understanding,” Pangu said in a statement.

The sudden about face means that Paramount either paid the company to go away as cheaper to avoid a legal dust-up in China less then a week before the movie's release or Pangu was leaned on by the Chinese government to make this go away. After all the country had invested a lot of time and money behind the cooperation agreement with Paramount over TF4 and doub they take kindly to anything that might disrupt current and potential future arrangements with Hollywood jeopardized. Oddly enough, not sure which possibility is more likely.

Transformers: Age of Extinction Length: Two Hours, 45 Minutes

The British Board of Film Classification has posted their ratings for Transformers: Age of Extinction (essentially PG-13) and with it the official, with credits, length of the movie at 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 54 seconds. Just FYI to pace your drinking habits during the movie next week.

Chinese Partner Sues to Kill Transformers 4 Partnership

Apparently Beijing Pangu Investment Company was not satisfied with what they saw at the premiere of Transformers: Age of Extinction as they are suing to end their partnership over the movie with Paramount and attempting to have uses of their Pangu Plaza Hotel removed from advertising and the movie itself.

“This has caused huge financial loss and damage to the reputation of our company,” Beijing Pangu Investment said in a statement.

“When marketing and distributing ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction,’ (the studio) is not allowed to use our company’s image, logo, our building’s inside and outside views and its recognizable elements,” the statement continues. “If already used in the film, they shall all be deleted.”

Transformers: Age of Extinction Run Time: 2.5 Hours

The MichaelBay.com twitter account has tweeted the run time of Transformers 4: "#transformers4 running time: 2 hrs 30 mins (without credits) #tf4 #Transformers #AgeOfExtinction"

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

Possible Chinese Actors for Transformers 4

It seems that the main actors for the Chinese portion of Transformers 4 is starting to come together as Asian Pop News is reporting that actors Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun and Tong Dawei. It also says that Huang has hired an English tutor so it seems their roles will be for more then just a Chinese cut of the film with their scenes. As usually time will tell exactly how China is being incorporated into the TF4 story. (via TFormers)

Transformers 4 Heading to Texas; Bay Scouts Chicago

You can add Austin, Texas area to the list of locations that Transformers 4 will be shooting this summer. According to Dallas News (via Seibertron), sometime in June the production will be in the small towns of Lockhart, Taylor, Elgin and Pfugnerville. In Taylor the plan is to close downtown and a railroad overpass with a car explosion set for Robinson Park. For Lockhart, the Caldwell County Courthouse will be used. The cities are part of a chase between the Autobots and Decepticons through Central Texas. Filming is expected to start in June (location unknown) with production hitting Detroit, Chicago, Hong Kong, and other unknown locations in China.

Speaking of Chicago, Bay was spotted scouting locations in the city on April 25th. Locations he and his crew checked out include LaSalle Street near Randolph Street up to the Board of Trade Building. Not sure what can gleam from that story wise but mostly reinforces that TF4 is coming soon to the area. Thanks to Wynton R. for the links.