‘Transformers 4’ Begins Shooting In Chicago This Summer

Transformers 4 will begin shooting in Chicago this summer.

Michael Bay is returning to the windy city to shoot the next film about robotic alien life forms at war.

The first Transformers film from Michael Bay was a breakthrough in visual effects, making characters we knew weren’t real look like they were actually filmed and not special effects. In an industry where the technology to create realistic 3D images exists, it is less acceptable to go halfway any more. The first film played on our sense of wonder as it slowly revealed the Transformers in our world. Audiences expect more now that we’ve seen Michael Bay’s reinvention of the action genre.

Considering the less-than-stellar reception of Revenge of the Fallen , and a somewhat better outing with Dark of the Moon , Michael Bay had considered calling it quits. However, the Bad Boys director has decided to go back for a fourth film, and possibly a new trilogy. The sequel would have reportedly been set in and shot in China, although that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore , since reports claim he is planning, just like in the last film, to return to Chicago.

This could open up possibilities for a continuation where Dark of the Moon left off, only with a rumored new cast of Transformers. With the filming crews expected to arrive in June, it appears they have a lot of planning to do, as shooting is scheduled to actually take place between July and October. Hopefully there is a lot more time to work on this film, as Michael Bay reportedly apologized for Revenge of the Fallen , saying it was a rush job and he didn’t have time to really plan it out.

How he plans to use a new cast of Transformers is still subject to speculation, as Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream and Bumblebee have been main characters ever since the original cartoon aired in the 80s.

Transformers 4 is planned for release on June 27, 2014.

What do you think about Transformers 4 starting to shoot in Chicago this summer?