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Noisy, flashy movie special effects start in a few days on Washington Boulevard in Detroit, where fanciful sets have been under construction since late May for the final act of the fourth "Transformers" film.
Director Michael Bay brings production crews and some cast members downtown for post-battle scenes set in Hong Kong, the Detroit Free Press reports. Julie Hinds quotes producer Ian Bryce.
“Next week, we begin in Detroit on the big set we’ve built underneath the monorail."
Though access likely will be limited directly around that area at Clifford Street next to Grand Circus Park, it's clearly visible from nearby offices, Detroit City Apartments and to passersby through chain-link fences. Expect to see lots of snaps and vids on social media.
Shooting is scheduled to begin Wednesday and last until Aug. 8, says to a letter distributed to nearby residents and businesses. "This is gonna be awesome to see from the roof," says Catherine Sung, a Detroit City Apartments resident who posted the July 19 letter on Instagram.
Hinds writes:
Signs and decorations have been installed on some storefronts to create the look of Hong Kong streets. According to Bryce, the sequences being done there are for the climactic third act of the film. . . .
Supervising location manager Ilt Jones says the Detroit filming will involve some pyrotechnics and “the usual ‘Transformers’ crash, bang, wallop.”
Wrecked vehicles are stored near the main set for use during the upcoming shoot.
[Photos from Transformers Live Action Movie Blog]
The passing People Mover will be halted at times, the Free Press reporter notes.
The letter to neighbors advises them of noise ahead. “During our filming please expect to experience simulated gunfire, controlled pyrotechnic explosions, precision driving potentially involving squealing tires, controlled vehicle crashes and smoke,” the advisory says, according to an online news site.
Set images have been posted online in recent weeks, including the accompanying ones and others by a fan identified as Jerry B.
Actors include Mark Wahlberg, spotted around Metro Detroit repeatedly this summer, and Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer. Nicola Peltz and Sophia Myles.
Dramatic explosion scenes were filmed Wednesday and Thursday night on the Rouge River using two former Boblo steamships, the Columbia and the St. Clair, both docked in River Rouge. Four dramatic photos, including one below, are posted here without credit.
The Columbia ferried visitors to the island amusement park from 1902-91. The Ste. Clair did so from 1910-91.
Indoor shooting takes place at the Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, where set construction began early this year.
Plot details haven't leaked yet, nor has the title -- so it's referred to as Transformers 4. It's scheduled for release next June.
The blockbuster series, based on toys from Hasbro and Tomy. began in 2007 with "Transformers," which also had scenes shot in Detroit. The sequels are "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009) and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011). The third film also came to the city.
Pyrotechnics were set off on the S.S. Columbia, a former Boblo Amusement Park boat, during night shooting Wednesday and Thursday in River Rouge.
Kurt McCort posted this image of the set Friday evening on Instagram.
