Shia Not Returning for Fourth Transformers Film

While at the MTV Movie Awards, Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley briefly discussed Transformers: Dark of the Moon (videos below). Rosie spoke about Michael Bay, saying they have the same work ethic.

Shia spoke about how the film has "the best action" with "the most solid screenplay we've had since we started." More important, he made it clear he isn't returning for a fourth film. While Bay had suggested it in interviews, I do believe this is the first time Shia has gone on the record.

"I'm not coming back to do another one. I don't think Mike will either. It still is a hot property, I think, especially coming out of the third one. So I imagine they'll reboot it at some point with someone else."

I am not entirely sure why a reboot is needed but that is big in Hollywood right now so would not be surprised if that is what happens. Keep in mind so far there has been no discussion of a fourth film but look for that to change if this film does well, especially if it breaks the billion dollar barrier which could happen considering how well the last two films did. Read More »

Shia Talks Different Vibe on DOTM Set

In an interview with Hero Complex, Transformers: Dark of the Moon star Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky) spoke about Megan Fox leaving and the change in vibe that the casting of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Carly Miller) brought to the set. In short, he felt Megan couldn't handle being rudely treated a bit like a piece of sexy meat while Rosie has no problem with it or with Bay's abrasiveness.

“Megan developed this Spice Girl strength, this woman-empowerment [stuff] that made her feel awkward about her involvement with Michael, who some people think is a very lascivious filmmaker, the way he films women,” LaBeouf said. “Mike films women in a way that appeals to a 16-year-old sexuality. It’s summer. It’s Michael’s style. And I think [Fox] never got comfortable with it. This is a girl who was taken from complete obscurity and placed in a sex-driven role in front of the whole world and told she was the sexiest woman in America. And she had a hard time accepting it. When Mike would ask her to do specific things, there was no time for fluffy talk. We’re on the run. And the one thing Mike lacks is tact. There’s no time for [LaBeouf assumes a gentle voice] ‘I would like you to just arch your back 70 degrees.’”

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1st Clip From Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Yahoo! Movies has posted the first clip from Transformers: Dark of the Moon titled "My Secret Weapon" as "Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whitely) introduces Sam (Shia LaBeouf) to her boss (Patrick Dempsey)." Thanks to Ryan and sp00ked_yuh for the link.

DOTM Toys Post Release Links

To my limited knowledge, the Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys are now released worldwide (press release). Reports indicate your mileage will vary at the local level as many stores are doing a less then spectacular job of getting the toys up on shelves despite having many months advance noticed to be prepared. Related to this is yet more toy news, reviews, and galleries along with a few DOTM odds and ends in the links below.

Mechtech Optimus Prime with Trailer (10x)
Another version of Optimus Orune that is currently Japan only. This one is a look of voyager class Optimus Prime that comes with his trailer. We have seen leaks of this toy before but still cool to see. No news if this will get a stateside release anytime soon but I would be really surprised if it didn't as an exclusive at some point in time.

Toys R Us Hong Kong Midnight Launch Gallery
Hit the link to view pictures from the launch of the line last Friday night in Hong Kong that to HK-TF.com.Read More »

Countdown To Trailer Carly Image

A new movie still is up on Apple Trailers to continue the countdown to the release of the trailer on Thursday at 7PM EST. Before it was Shockwave, this time it is something a little less spectacular with an image of Carly. Not a knock against Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as would say the same for any other human character but I watch Transformers for the Transformers. If the comments are any indication, there is a vocal minority *cough*trolls*cough* that seem to watch the film only for the human (aka female) characters and do not find the Transformers that important to the films. Each their own. Hopefully the last image will be more TF goodness.

On a related note, Katie R. reports that Entertainment Tonight is planning to have a Dark of the Moon report to along with the launch of the trailer. No teaser yet on ET's website but I don't recall the last time ET wasn't used to help market Transformers when a trailer is released. If anything I am surprised they are not getting a "sneak peek" for their Wednesday episode. Thanks to Sam N. who provided a DVR pic that confirms ET's plans for Thursday.

Rosie Wants Transformers 4

In a brief interview with MTV, Transformers: Dark of the Moon start Rosie Huntington-Whiteley commented on wanting a Transformers 4 and some of the research she did for the role.

Rosie Talks Bay, Getting Cast in DOTM

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently spoke to MTV and Access Hollywood about Transformers: Dark of the Moon while at CinemaCon. In the two videos (below) she discusses working with Michael Bay ("I've never seen anybody work so hard in my whole life") and how she landed the part of Carly (Bay recommended she audition for the part), and working with Shia ("He looked after me"). Read More »

More DOTM Toys and Repaints

Yet more Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys are revealed with some probably new additions to the line, some repaints and possibly a few fakes thrown in for some confusion.

DOTM Legion 3 Pack (1x)
A Yahoo Auction shows of a legion class 3 pack that includes the first use of the name "Rodimus" (aka Hot Rod) in relation to the movie toys. The robot mode suggests a color scheme is designed to invoke his G1 as based on the Universe legends class toy. As a result trying to take a leap that this is confirmation of the red Ferrari's name would be premature. The pack includes Bumblebee and Soundwave with his satellite alt mode. (via TFW2005)

DOTM Silver Bumblebee (2x)
We already knew that deluxe Starscream as a repaint in the works and now it appears that Bumblebee does to. I guess it could be a custom figure but its size does match the smaller deluxe class being used for the DOTM line and the mold cracks don't seem to match the two deluxe class 'Bees that have already been revealed. (via Seibertron)Read More »

DOTM Cast are NASCAR Grand Marshalls

NASCAR has announced that Transformers: Dark of the Moon starts Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and director Michael Bay will serve as Grand Marshals for the Daytona 500 on February 20th, 2011. The marketing synergy isn't really a surprise considering three of the Transformers in the movie are NASCAR stock cars, which will also be at the event as pace cars. The full press release is below.

On a related note, Rosie and Bay were at the New York Toy Fair on Monday to promote the toys and movie. While there apparently held has a private screening of DOTM. The rumor is Bay showed around 30 minutes of footage to Hasbro execs but sadly whatever was shown was not for public viewing. A few more images of the pair with Ultimate Prime can be found here.Read More »

Tyrese, Rosie Talk Dark of the Moon

In two separate members, Transformers: Dark of the Moon cast members spoke about the film. Tyrese Gibson spoke with MTV describing the film as "the biggest and best" of the series while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley spoke briefly with Total Film about being cast in the movie.

On her character, Carly, Huntington-Whiteley tells us: "She's English and is working for the British embassy... I can't tell you more! That's all I can say for now!"

Huntington-Whiteley was cast as Sam's (Shia LaBeouf) new girlfriend after Megan Fox left her breakthrough franchise. "I went to the casting unaware they were looking for a new female lead", says Rosie. "We were told it was for a 'nemesis' role and I left thinking I was awful. The next day I was offered the lead! I met with Shia that evening and within three weeks I was on set shooting my first scenes..."

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Shia and Co. On LA TF3 Set

Just Jared and The Daily Mail have each posted galleries from the Culver City in Los Angeles set of Transformers: Dark of the Moon as Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley continued to film what looks like more blue screen work for the film. The stunts including something along a building wall, sliding down a facade (say a building as it falls) with other NEST troops, and Shia doing his screaming thing inside Bumblebee. Hit links above for the galleries. Thanks to rumah, Katie and Mauricio for the links.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon ET Report

Entertainment Tonight has posted their article of video of the behind the scenes report from the Chicago set of Transformers 3. The video includes set footage, explosions and the sales pitch of the movie from Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson, and Josh Duhamel. Pretty much no spoilers are revealed but the title does drop a "the" with official title being "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" which oddly enough does make a difference. If want to get a little meta, thanks to Colin Hinkle for the picture of behind the scenes of ET filming behind the scenes of TF:DOTM with Samantha Harris in the yellow dress. Also thanks to Teddy83 for the link.

"I think what we were lacking in the second movie was heart," says Shia about the last installment of the blockbuster franchise, 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.' "But, I think with the addition of Rosie and new characters … you still have the magic of the first film, but you have depth in the ending of the third."

"Sam's coming out of heartbreak," explains Shia about the film's emotional center. "He's looking for a rock. He's looking for stability. He's looking for a person who doesn't love him because of his involvement in the wars, or because of his involvement with the robots. … And, so he's looking to define himself and find a person who understands the definition and loves him for him, and he finds it in Rosie."

"The story, I think, is really rich," says Michael. "This is kind of a good old fashioned, kinda espionage 'Transformers' movie." He adds, "I just told Mayor Daley that I'm sorry about messing up his city."

TF3 DC: More Set Pics, Mad Max Truck, New Accident Video

The news yesterday was mostly about the car accident between Bumblebee and a Washington DC cop, but that was not all that occurred yesterday. Transformers 3 was filming in several locations around the National Mall. Part of the reason Michael Bay was not spotted at the accident is because he was in front of the American Red Cross Headquarters, filming a retro scene that may tie into a rumored 1960s flashback that is related to space race. Meanwhile Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kevin Dunn and Julia White drove around in the Datsun PL510 (from Chicago and Indiana) and other vehicles near the Lincoln Memorial. My understanding is today is when filming shifts into a night shoot starting around 6:30pm but not sure at what locations.

One other piece of information is the Mad Max truck from Chicago was spotted, not sure though if part of filming or just attached to the traveling filming caravan. The vehicle is rumored to be Megatron, something that "Astrotrain" reported to me as true:

Megatron is for a fact the Mad Max semi in TF3. I can send you more behind the scenes pictures from a storage facility where all the vehicles were kept while in Chicago. My father in law who works for a special effects company in Chicago was one of a group whose job it was as he said Michael Bay states "make this truck look more demented." Also not sure if it is known or not but Patrick Dempsey’s Character is a super Billionaire computer expert, who helps the transformers buy building additional ones to help. Those NASCAR transformers are not partially transformed those are ones he created, along with he "power glove" we have seen Sam wearing.

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TF3 Detroit: Downtown with the Big Gun and Bayhem

The area around the Farwell Building in Detroit and the Clifford and Woodward area was invaded today by Transformers 3 production. Most of the Autobot vehicles showed up along with the gigantic gun/jet prop, and the cast. Part of the filming appears to be a continuation of the scene from last week with Shia and Rosie on the prop sharing a hug then later that night which brought some more Bayhem boom to the set (video below). Thanks to J1000 and Surge29 we have two galleries of pictures and videos to enjoy from the day. The set report, first set of pics and last videos are from J1000. The second set of pics and 1st video is from Surge29.

Lots of great stuff going on today; Shia and Rosie were filming on the TF Jet prop (which now appears to definitely not be an "arm" or anything like that, as it was sitting street-level as they climbed on and off of it in front of the deli/liquor store set on Clifford. They were also shooting at the Farwell building with probably close to 100 (maybe more) extras running to the center of the intersection, as they were preparing to blow out a store front there. Towards the end of the evening, as the guys that haul the Autobots around were packing them up for the night, they were very cool and gave me a chance to get some pics of my son with Bumblebee and Sideswipe; then, one of the guys gave my son a NEST logo sticker that they actually us on the vehicles! What a cool souvenir! As you can see in the pic, he's super excited about that! I also noticed the classic silver Mercedes in the hauler that has been seen on other sets. I had my wife and kids with me, and we even got a mention in the local paper (Detroit Free Press), who was there covering some of the goings-on.

J1000

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More Video from Chicago and Sentinel Prime?

As Transformers 3 production winds down in Chicago, new video and images from the production have popped up online. The first set of images, including this rather odd choice in pajamas for Sam's father aka Kevin Dunn, were taken around Wednesday or so, at about the same times as the photos with John Turturro and Rosie's tight blue dress. The rest can be found here. Speaking of that, the first three videos below are from that same time period. The first is a look at John Turturro along with Alan Tudyk as they follow Shia and Rosie for a scene. The second video is the same moment but looking straight down, while the third video show Sam's parent in green outfits (at least I think its them). Thanks to Mike G. for the links.

After those videos are more from zztopeurope from a few weeks ago as the Transformers parking lot was packing up. Of note is the two black Decepeticon SUVs have been identified as Suburbans (but modified judging by the wheels). Also the security guard at the site (4th video) said the name of the Autobot fire truck is not Rodimus Prime but Sentinel Prime, as the father of Optimus. Sentinel Prime was a creation of the TF comics as the predecessor of Optimus Prime as leader of the Autobots. In War for Cybertron, he was leader when the Cybertronian civil war started and killed by Megatron leading to Prime's ascension. Like most of the TF names, this one will probably not be confirmed until next year. Thanks to zztopeurope and DJ BigTymeBeats for the links.Read More »

Detroit Pulls Out the Big Guns, Turturro in House and Street Closures

Three blurbs of Transformers 3 production news from Chicago and Detroit. To start, if had hopes that cast and crew were going to remain in Chicago past September 1st, might as well dash as Jalopnik has posted a small gallery of images that show that crew is in town prepping the Packard Plant for filming. If the big gun/jet engine/beats me is any indication, it looks like the site will be involved in more action pack filming. However, I think the site is considered private property so not expecting quite the view that we occasional got in Chicago. Click here to the other images from the plant.

Back in Chicago, it seems Shia LaBeouf continues to film at "work" as he was spotted yesterday on set in his suit again and flirting with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Carly for some scenes as she was wearing a tiny and tight blue dress. The more significant piece of news is John Turturro is finally spotted on set. Considering what is currently being filmed is probably closer to the beginning of the film then the end, it’s unclear if this proves he will be part of the big finale action sequences of the film or not. Click here for rest of the Daily Mail's gallery but ignore the text as it focuses on pointless gossip and identifies Turturro as "crew". Thanks to Phil for the link.

Last but not least, another street closure notice for today as filming returns to the Old Post Office Building along Van Buren Street.

The movie is using the Old Main Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren Street, for shooting today, and Van Buren is closed between Wacker Drive and Canal Street until 11 p.m. Lanes will be open during rush hour, however, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

Meanwhile, parking restrictions are in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday to facilitate filming of 'Transformers 3" in the area near Wabash Avenue and Washington Street.

The restrictions are:

• Both sides of Wabash from Randolph to Monroe
• The north side of Randolph from Garland to Wabash
• The south side of Washington from Michigan to Wabash
• The north side of Madison from Michigan to Wabash

TF3 Chicago: Sam Goes Flying

Transformers 3 production is winding down in the Chicago but that doesn't mean the hard work is over. Wednesday at the Lake and Wabash Parking Lot involved a busy day for Shia LaBeouf's stunt double who was flung all over the set by his arm. My best guess is maybe captured by a Decepticon or something to do with the power glove but really I can't figure it out. They also filmed a brief firefight involving Josh Duhamel and NEST as things went boom. It should be interesting to see what the flinging around becomes once the editors and ILM have a go with the footage.

The pic to the left and first four pictures below are thanks to Colin Hinkle. The next five are a small sampling of pictures from Jeff at Pixel Rally's huge 326 photos that he has posted on flickr. Along with the photos, Jeff also posted 10 videos that show off the various stunt work that was filmed. Hit the links below for both.

Update: Jeff created a third gallery, not new images but if you don't have time or inclination to flip through 300+ pictures, then hit the "Selects" link for 52 pics that give you the highlights from the larger gallery.

Pixel Rally Gallery | Pixel Rally Videos | Pixel Rally Selects
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Sam Is Now Playing With Power

It took three movies but Sam finally got his upgrade weapon in the form of a Power Glove, at least judging by these pictures that show him using something on his hand. Don't have a clue how it fits into the movie but I am sure the results will lead to some Bayhem. The pictures and more are thanks to Jeff at Pixel Rally and Colin Hinkle who took them at the Wabash and Lake Parking Deck where Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley where taking directions from Michael Bay. If the glove isn't exciting enough there are also pics of Bay's lunch box, using his iPad to show off stuff and defeating Shia in exercise battle. Also below is a video found by Colin that shows some of the action that was being filmed.

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Mad Max, Boom, and Bee

More pictures and videos from Transformers 3 production in Chicago. To start with, images taken near the Transformers 3 parking lot of a Mad Max like fuel truck. No clue what it is for but don't think it’s a Transformer or at least it has no faction insignia anywhere. I believe the pics are just from the last day or two so the vehicle may be popping up soon near a set. Thanks to Jeff of Pixel Rally for the images.

After that are two videos, both I think taken in front of Hotel 71 about a week or so ago. The first involves the Nascar vehicles as they drive through a series of explosions and a shootout. The second video is another angle on the Bumblebee intersection firefight with the huge explosions and NEST soldiers defending Bumblebee only now get a look at it from one end of the road to the next. The video shows the practice run followed by the real run. Thanks to Mauricio for the links.

Last is a new gallery from TFW2005 that shows a little behind the scenes prep involving Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Josh Duhamel. Not sure where filmed or what’s involved. Click here for the entire gallery.

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LaSalle Street Bridge Set Gallery

LaSalle Street Bridge is the location of the Transformers 3 ending lip lock between Sam and Carly but it also seems to be the location of some action too as the new gallery of images from Pixel Rally show. The images show at least the appearance of Bumblebee and Megatron in robot modes along with the usual street destruction dressing. It also shows a little bit of Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Michael Bay and crew as they prepare. Below are a few images from the 51 picture gallery which can be found here.

Also possible spoiler warning. Thanks to borrissey who spoke with a PA who verified that the lip lock is the last scene of the film and that Megatron dies, "this time it's final." Take from that what you will but it does seem this movie will have a hefty Transformers body count.