Transformers 4 - ongoing news thread

[colin78]

I found this on th bet this morning. It gives us a little bit of an idea but not a lot....

Transformers Returning to Michigan, Approved for Film Incentive
« Return to Press Releases
March 20, 2013
Michelle Begnoche
517-241-0251
LANSING – The Michigan Film Office announced today the feature film Transformers 4 has been approved for a film incentive from the state. Transformers 4, expected to film this spring in metro Detroit, opens soon after the end of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where a great battle left a city torn – but with the world once again saved.

“It speaks volumes about all Michigan has to offer that Transformers is returning once again to our state,” said Margaret O’Riley, director of the Michigan Film Office. “This project will shine another bright spotlight on Michigan and provide tremendous opportunities for our cast, crew and support services.

Transformers 4 was awarded an incentive of $20 million on $81,933,992 of projected in-state expenditures. The project is expected to hire 368 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of 339 jobs.

As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues.

Transformers 4 is the third film in the series to use Detroit as a backdrop. The first Transformers, released in 2007, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon, released in 2011, also filmed in metro Detroit.

In Fiscal Year 2013, 13 projects have been awarded a total of $30,962,806 on $120,172,305 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 1,190 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 559 jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Film Review Committee, comprised of senior MEDC staff including the Michigan Film Commissioner, reviews all completed applications using the statute to guide approval decisions.

The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and promote the growth of Michigan’s own film industry. The Film Office also administers the incentive program for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan. For more on the Michigan Film Office, visit: MichiganFilmOffice.org.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation markets the state with a focus on business, talent, jobs and helping to grow the economy. For more on MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganAdvantage.org.

[Paul Agnew]

As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control – all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues.

However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control

powerful, ingenious businessman learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control

powerful, ingenious businessman... beyond what they can control

Lazarus? Is that you?

[Megatron]

I'm really curious about this part:

– all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs.

[Sinnertwin]

I'm really curious about this part:

Same here. Lots of potential there, hope that they dont rush through it though

[BigTransformerTrev]

opens soon after the end of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where a great battle left a city torn – but with the world once again saved.

As humanity picks up the pieces, following the conclusion of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs.

Hmmm, seems to fly in the face of all we have been hearing about the movie picking up four or five years later. Or then maybe it will be a quick couple of minutes at the start of the film to remind us of what came before, before starting the new story.

Same here. Lots of potential there, hope that they dont rush through it though

Yeah, thats the problem with Bay's films - tries to fit too much in and rushes what could be great storylines and great fights.


An ancient, powerful Transformers menace? What could it be? We've already had Wheelie turn up was a damn menace in the cartoon and the twins were a menace to good cinema in ROTF So are we talking Galvatron? Unicron? Quintessons? Nemesis Prime? It's probably going to be Misfire riding another giant space worm or something

[bassbot]

I could see them trying to stretch out Unicron over a few movies, the benefit could be if they do his reformatting of Megatron into Galvatron? A great connect to the old series, whilst bringing in new designs and characters.

Who knows though. If not Misfire why not Snapdragon?!?

[Demonac]

... while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs.

Kinda like Megatron in the 1st one, the Fallen in the 2nd & Sentinel in the 3rd?

[Megatron]

A few more tid bits.


'Transformers 4' crew scouts GM's Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center as a possible backdrop for film (Michigan Live, 21/03/2013):

Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots could be coming to Genesee County as part of the filming of "Transformers 4."

General Motors Co. spokesman Robert Wheeler confirmed a film crew has been on some scouting trips to the Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center for the fourth installment in the series of action blockbusters.

"Nothing has been committed to on either side," Wheeler said. "There are a whole lot of issues that have to take place before that works out."

Work at the plant is scheduled to cease in July, with the facility being shuttered.

There has been no announcement by GM of if or how the plant will be reused. Wheeler said the timing of film work would have to be worked out as part of any agreement to use the plant for the movie.

"There are some conversations that have taken place," he said.

...

***

Transformers 4 could end up in 3D when it's released; film to be produced in Metro Detroit (Michigan Live, 25/03/2012):

Transformers 4 could end up available in 3D once its released to theaters once it's expected to be released in 2014.

Michael Bay, the franchise's director, confirmed on his Twitter page that 3D is an option; the film will be produced in Metro Detroit.

...

***

Transformers 4 film crew scouting of Genesee County location sparks pitch from Uptown Development in Flint (Michigan Live, 25/03/2013):

The possibility of "Transformers 4" film crews coming to Genesee County has sparked the interest of Uptown Developments in Flint.

A film crew scouting for locations to make the fourth installment in the Transformers film franchise has visited General Motors Co.'s Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center in Grand Blanc Township as a possible backdrop for the film, GM spokesman Bob Wheeler said Thursday, March 21.

The Flint-based real estate development company Uptown Developments is behind much of the investment in the downtown and has interest in reaching out to the film's production company to see if they would like to see other locations in Genesee County.

...

***

And as a follow-up, it now looks like Transformers 4 won't film at GM's Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center, says plant spokesman (Michigan Live, 08/04/2013):

The chance that the Autobots of the Transformers movie series will film in Genesee County has gotten slim.

The film crew's schedule and the timeline for General Motors Co. to clear out the soon-to-be-closed Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center weren't compatible, GM spokesman Robert Wheeler said.

Wheeler confirmed in late March that a crew had visited the plant while scouting locations for the fourth installment in the Transformers film franchise.

While it would have been a very "positive" and "cool" opportunity, Wheeler said GM is in the midst of reducing production at the plant in preparation for its closing in July.

This conflicted with the needs of the film crew, he said, adding there was also some discussion about leaving some equipment behind for part of the film.

"We would have loved for it to happen," Wheeler said.

...

Hmmm, oh well...

[Megatron]

Official announcement:

Los Angeles, CA – April 2, 2013 – Paramount Pictures, China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises announced today that they have entered into a Cooperation Agreement regarding the production of “Transformers 4” in China. The Cooperation Agreement was signed on April 1, 2013 in Beijing and Los Angeles.

Pursuant to the agreement, China Movie Channel, under the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT), will cooperate with Paramount in broad-based support of the production of the film in China. “Transformers 4” is expected to be released in China on or about June 27, 2014. The parties also intend to cooperate in a number of other areas related to “Transformers 4,” including the selection of filming sites within China, theatrical promotion, and possible post-production activities in China as well as casting of Chinese actors and actresses in the film.

This agreement represents the first time that China Movie Channel will work with a western studio in the production of a major motion picture.

The unprecedented agreement followed a meeting with Mr. Tong Gang, Vice Minister of SARFT with the Transformers 4 production leaders including director Michael Bay, producer Lorenzo DiBonaventura and Paramount Vice Chairman Rob Moore, along with Jiaflix Chairman Sid Ganis and President Marc Ganis at SARFT’s official Reception Hall in Beijing. Minister Tong expressed support for the newly formed China Movie Channel/Jiaflix cooperation with Paramount.

The “Transformers” movies are among the most popular films ever released in China, and Michael Bay is among the most popular directors with Chinese audiences. Transformers 3, Dark of the Moon, released theatrically in 2011, grossed $165 million in China and over $1.1 billion worldwide.

“I’m proud and honored by how ‘Transformers’ has been embraced by Chinese audiences,” said Michael Bay. “I look forward to working with China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises to help reach more people here and deepen their passion for this ongoing story and its characters.”

“China Movie Channel and our official movie web site M1905.com have been long term trusted partners with Jiaflix,” said Yan Xiaoming, Chairman of China Movie Channel. “We have been working together in the field of importing Hollywood movies for Chinese television and internet, including Paramount movies, as well as introducing Chinese movies to the North American market and are very delighted with the results we have accomplished together.”

“This is the beginning of a new era of collaboration with the Hollywood studios,” Mr. Yan continued. “We are very confident that the China Movie Channel/Jiaflix cooperation with Paramount will result in the famous Transformers brand being an even bigger success.”

Jiaflix, through its partners, Sid Ganis, Marc Ganis and Kenneth Huang, was the driving force in bringing the new arrangement to fruition. Said Sid Ganis, Chairman of Jiaflix, “Paramount was the first major studio to officially join with us for the distribution of its films over the Jiaflix platform in China, so we are delighted to join our partners at China Movie Channel together with Paramount on this groundbreaking initiative. ‘Transformers 4’ are paving the way.” Jiaflix has recently entered into a long term agreement with Paramount, under which Paramount will supply more than 250 films a year to the new video streaming partnership between Jiaflix and M1905.com, a unit of China Movie Channel.

“We are excited by and grateful for the opportunity to work with China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises on the production and promotion of ‘Transformers 4,’” said Paramount Vice Chair Rob Moore. “We see this relationship as a reflection of the global power and appeal of both this unique franchise and Michael Bay’s talents as a filmmaker.”

[griffin]

Michael Bay is blaming Walhberg for planning to do more than just one more Movie.