Report: ‘Transformers 3’ Shooting Locations Unveiled in Chicago

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CHICAGO – “Transformers 3,” the third installment in director Michael Bay’s exceedingly lucrative action franchise, is set to shoot in Chicago this weekend. The following information has been exclusively obtained by HollywoodChicago.com and confirmed from an internal corporate memo.

Filming is set to take place Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the grand tradition of Bay blockbusters, various special effects will be conducted on location, including gunfire, spark hits, black smoke, fireballs, and yes, explosions. No noisy effects will take place on Saturday or Sunday prior to 8 a.m. Representatives from the Chicago Police and Fire Departments will be on set at all times to assist with safety and traffic management.

Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”.
Image credit: Jaimie Trueblood

Starting on Friday at 8 p.m., the Michigan Avenue bridge will be raised, and will not be available to vehicular traffic or pedestrians until 5 a.m. on Monday, July 19. The main filming location will be in the traffic circle north of the bridge, and surrounded by the Wrigley Building, 401 N. Michigan Ave., and Pioneer Court. There will also be some activity on Lower Michigan Ave.

Michigan Avenue will be closed to pedestrians from Illinois Street to the river beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 15 until 5 a.m. on Monday. Arrangements will be made with businesses and offices to allow people access to their places of work. All businesses within the closure will remain open during filming.

Upper Michigan Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic from Ontario St. to Wacker Dr. from 8 p.m. Thursday through 5 a.m. Monday. Lower Michigan Ave. will be available to vehicular traffic until Friday at 8 p.m. All bus stops will be relocated on North Michigan Ave. between Ontario St. and Wacker Dr. CTA will provide information with alternative bus stops.

Low-flying helicopter scenes will be filmed, and additional pedestrian and vehicular lock ups will be necessary, as determined by the FAA. Security guards, Chicago Police Officers and production assistants will be visible throughout filming to provide public safety as well as address any immediate concerns there may be about filming.

The star-studded film features Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Patrick Dempsey, Frances McDormand, Tyrese Gibson and James Avery. “Transformers 3” is aiming to be released on July 1, 2011.

By MATT FAGERHOLM Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com