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.

Countdown To Trailer Sam & Simmons Image

It seems that TFW2005 was able to get the final still from Transformers: Dark of the Moon early (supposed to come out around 11AM EST). The image joins Shockwave, Carly and the Decepticon spaceship. It shows Sam with Simmons in a wheelchair due to an injured left leg. The trailer itself will be out at 7PM on Apple Trailers.

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."

Road Home, DC Video and TF Trailer Call-back

Even though current, but limited knowledge, indicates that Transformers: The Dark of the Moon is no longer filming in the states, the image taken by Denise T. shows Ironhide and Ratchet as they were transported on Monday around noon through Phoenix, Arizona in Eastbound lane. More than likely the destination is wherever the TFs are stored when no longer being used for filming or promotional use but maybe more is being done in LA.

Speaking of production, below is another video from Washington, DC filming. This one is shows more of the filming at Lincoln Memorial and what else Shia and Josh were up to after they ran across the lawn and what the flashing lights might have been for. The last video is the teaser trailer for the upcoming movie Skyline. Mostly posting it because found it amusing the use of the Transformers 1 trailer music queues and font designs complete with glowing light in the background. Thanks to Mauricio and and Jakenbocker for the links.

TF3 DC: Even More Videos, Images

To my knowledge, production in Washington, DC has come to an end. It is also possible the United States side of filming has also completed. This doesn't mean that more images and videos from DC are still not popping up online. Thanks to Topherlyon who posted a nice gallery of images from filming, including confirming it was Julie White, Kevin Dunn, Shia LaBeouf, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely filming at Constitution Hall on last Sunday. The full set can be found on Flickr.

He and his brother also posted two videos (below) that they edited together of the first two days of filming in the area. The 1st video is filming at Constitution Hall, the second is a look at some of the pre-prep before the Bayhem along Pennsylvania Avenue. Overall they report seeing 4 fire fights and 1 explosion with multiple takes.

Below is also a link to a 20 minute video on Facebook (no embedding available). It shows some of the Lincoln Memorial filming including a close-up of Michael Bay, Josh Duhamel, Shia and others doing their various tasks including filming a scene of them running together towards flashing lights (probably representing a distant fire fight) along with Shia finding various ways to kill time between takes. Part of it is various amusing ways to get himself going to make it seem he has been running for a while. Speaking of, for additional amusement Shia also got busted throwing coffee on paparazzi while in DC. Thanks Adam for Facebook link and rumah for coffee video link.

Videos: DC Facebook | Throwing Coffee

TF3 DC: Bayhem Arrives in the Capitol, Autobots Exiled

Despite the Bumblebee accident, the show must go on as it did last night in around the National Mall in Washington, DC. Michael Bay was able to get permission to bring his patented Bayhem to the scene with explosions and lots of gunfire as the videos below filmed near the Capital Building along Pennsylvania Avenue show. In addition he briefly spoke to a fan about the accident, joking around saying "there are always more" and "Washington cops wrecked my Bumblebee." Thanks to Eric Heise, Jeffrey from Pixel Rally and Katie for the video links.

A thread from Revenge of the Fallen, carried over with set images of an "Autobots Go Home" graphitti has hit a new level with a reveal from The Washington Post that indicates things are going very badly for the Autobots in this movie. Thanks to Richard P. for the link. Update: Politico provides a little more information including the name of the character as Dana Bash.

"While filming "[Transformers] 3" in front of the Capitol in D.C., director Michael Bay shoots a scene in which a "CNN reporter" broadcasts news that Congress has acted quickly to pass legislation that exile Autobots from American soil."

As the photos above and below show, Bumblebee is alive and well both in a trailer and on the DC streets thanks to Allison and Michael D. along with a few additional images. From the TF Parking Lot/Home Base, Allison reports that she scoped out the "Mad Max" truck and could not find any insignia to verify if it’s a Transformer or not. She did note a little dog on the front that to me suggests more terrestrial origins for the vehicle (or that its Wreck-Gar who started as neither Autobot or Decepticon in the G1 movie). She also spotted two additional Bumblebees, not including the damaged one. The rest of Michael's gallery from the streets of DC can be found here.

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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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Duhamel About Rosie Casting

Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel recently spoke with MTV while promoting their respective movies of Wall Street 2 and Life As We Know It. In both cases they had nothing but glowing comments about Rosie Huntington-Whitely who replaced Megan Fox on Transformers 3 and some of the Chicago footage they have seen. Thanks to Katie for the links.

"I think there's positives and negatives to her not being [in the movie]," said LaBeouf, who was at the Toronto Film Festival to promote "Wall Street 2." "It's awesome that we get the discovery again. I think when everybody's vetted and everybody's been through these wars, then that discovery of the first film is nonexistent. It's kind of beautiful in that we get a new set of eyes, a fresh set of eyes for the audience to vibe with. So you get the discovery again, which is something that wouldn't happen if Megan came back."

LaBeouf said she's "doing great," though there's little he could do to prepare her for the experience of working with famously fiery director Michael Bay.

"You can only do so much," he laughed. "Fight or flight. A tap on the back and a 'Good luck!'"

"I've seen about 10 minutes of it — just the stuff we shot in Chicago — and it's pretty awesome," [Josh] revealed to MTV News.

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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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TF3 Detroit: Transformers at Central Station

J1000 returns with more pictures and video of Transformers 3 production in Detroit. Today brought cast and crew, along with basically all of the Autobot Transformers vehicles including the Wreckers, Twins, Ironhide, Prime (with trailer), etc to Michigan Central Station. At same time the crew was putting the finishing touches on the Clifford and Woodward faked store front set while adding the huge Transformers jet thingy prop from last week. J1000's report, pictures and 9 videos below speak for themselves.

Things are full speed ahead in Detroit now! They were filming at Michigan Central Station most of the day, followed by a quick trip over to the Packard Plant in the late evening for some other shots. The downtown sets should be shooting tomorrow; the Deli/Liquor store they've been setting up at Clifford and Woodward now has the Transformer Jet prop assembled in front of it; they were putting it together around lunch time (the engines were still at Packard at that point), and had it assembled when I came back by around 5PM. At Central Station, they were filming Shia, and I think Duhamel and Tyrese and possibly Hardcore Eddie, as well.

The Wreckers were being filmed racing across the front of the Station, while Ratchet was positioned at the left side door, and tires could be heard squealing inside the station. They were shooting closeups of the NEST squad and Shia on the right side of the station. After they wrapped at Central for the day, I heard a crew member's radio say they had to rush over to Packard; I got some great HD video shots of them leaving, and then arriving at Packard. I caught a glimpse (and pic) of a second Optimus cab inside the gates (I've seen doubles of the other cars, but not Optimus yet). As they were filming at Packard, there were a few small explosions. Tyrese's Chevelle drove by, and a bit later, Ironhide and the Twins finally arrived on a car hauler! Exciting day here in Detroit! Stay Tuned!

J1000

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Megan Comments, Shia in Detroit

Megan Fox briefly commented about Transformers 3 while promoting "Passion Play" at the Toronto International Film Festival. She apparently harbors no ill feeling about what occurred, calling the adjustment weird.

"I will see it," Fox said while promoting "Passion Play" at the Toronto International Film Festival. "I'm gonna see it."
The actress did admit that watching the battle of the 'bots continue on without her will be fairly odd. "I might be a little jealous when I see somebody kissing my Shia [LaBeouf], wearing my jeans that I ... already had been fit for," Fox conceded. "It's kind of weird, actually."

"[Rosie's] 6 feet tall also, so maybe they're not the exact same jeans," Fox quipped about the ad-campaign vet slated to play LaBeouf's love interest Carly. "But it will be strange."

On a somewhat related note, it seems that did return from promoting Wall Street 2 at that same festival in time to do some of his own stunts on that big gun thing on Tuesday. This is based on photos from Pop Sugar and Seibertron.com that clearly show his face. Those same pics make me think that the attractive blond filming with Shia is Rosie's stunt double as the face just doesn't match to me.

Shia Comments on Set Safety

While at the Toronto Film Festival to help promote Wall Street 2, Shia LaBeouf spoke briefly about set safety for Transformers 3. I am sure he is going to get asked this a lot in light of the serious injuries that occurred on September 1st to Gabriella Cedillo on the Indiana TF3 set.

"I got some scars, but I'm good," he explained. "They're hard movies to make...It's a very safe set. These are professionals. These are the best at what they do. Things happen all the time, but in life things happen all the time."

The 24-year-old actor said despite director Michael Bay's love of explosions, he's never felt at risk. "You've got the be weary and attentive to what's going on," he continued. "You're always informed of where the bomb is... or, you know, the mine field but, I never feel unsafe."

I have not seen or read any current updates on Mrs. Cedillo’s condition. As of early last week she remained in a medically induced coma after brain surgery. There also have not been any updates on what occurred that day with conflicting reports that she was involved in a stunt and reports that she wasn't.Read More »

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

Set Report, Shia Dresses Up Again

Capone over at Ain't It Cool News was lucky enough to visit the Transformers 3 set at the Lake and Wabash parking lot while Michael Bay and company was flipping a bus last week. The article describes some of the action that was filmed, meeting the producers and crew that are involved in making the film and more. To compound the jealous rage I might be feeling, Capone was able to see a "sizzle reel" that shows off footage from the 1st three weeks in Chicago. Click here for the full article.

...the man knows how to make explosions and action look about as badass as anyone. And this sizzle reel was unstoppable, even without a single robot to be seen. Chicago hasn't looked this stunning on film, maybe ever. But watching it get totaled was just too wonderful for words. Bay showed me this reel personally and stood right next to me while we watched it. He knew it looked great, and it absolutely did. The footage also revealed a few things about plot and characters that I'm not going to spoil, and Bay was pretty open about story details that probably shouldn't be shared, including showing me the entire anamatic on his iPad for the sequence he was shooting that day.

Another, shorter sizzle reel Bay played for me later on a 3D monitor featured footage shot in 3D from the entirety of the shoot (not just Chicago scenes), and that looked insane. The man took the time and figured out how to use 3D to better this film.

Pop Sugar also posted the right image from the set, this time from yesterday with Shia LaBeouf wearing a suit so it seems the street closures along with Sam's parents visiting probably has something to do with his job (I guess at Hotchkiss Gould Investments). So it seems the next day or two may be low key filming as establish his non-Transformers life for the film.

TF3 Chicago: Sam Flies with A Friend

Yesterday was the last day for Transformers 3 production at the Wabash and Lake Parking Lot. Yesterday, Sam flew along and today he brought a friend. As the new images and a video from Jeff at Pixel Rally show, it was an exciting day with Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel's stunt doubles flying through the air while NEST troops defend them as pyrotechnics go off around them. Overall, an exciting looking sequence even without the probable CGI Transformers to explain the flying rig. Hit the links below to view the rest of Jeff's gallery and the video.

In addition Colin Hinkle provides more behind the scenes photos from the location as the crew prepped for filming on August 18th along with a new video of the action from Jeff's friend billyripkin.Read More »

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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