DreamWorks Pictures

Report: ‘Transformers 2’ Moves From June 26, 2009 Open Date to ‘Unslotted’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:36:18 -0700

The Hollywood Reporter published a year-end film report on Dec. 28 with a bevy of standard box-office numbers. Buried on page two of the article, though, is the real news: the lack of a number for “Transformers 2”. The sequel is again directed by Michael Bay.

Megan Fox in “Transformers” in 2007.
Photo credit: IMDb
Specifically, the article downplays the first mention of the film moving from a confirmed release date of June 26, 2009 to no opening slot at all. The Hollywood Reporter article says:

Some will suggest that DreamWorks’ production operations will be upended if Steven Spielberg and David Geffen bolt [Paramount] when their personal contracts expire in November.

The pair remain actively engaged in several ongoing projects including the as-yet-unslotted “Transformers 2”.

“Transformers” in 2007.
Photo credit: IMDb
Superhero! Hype on Dec. 31 also picked up on the subtle mention and is speculating that the ongoing WGA strike could be a culprit. IMDb still lists the opening date for “Transformers 2” as June 26, 2009.

Scene Spoiler: Reader Submits Full ‘Eagle Eye’ Report For Nov. 15 Filming in Chicago

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:21:44 -0700

As we’ve been reporting here, “Eagle Eye” – a DreamWorks picture staring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton – has been filming at various locations across Chicago over the past two weeks.

What follows is a very specific report from a reader that fleshes out Chicago filming details for Thursday, Nov. 15 and heading into the wee hours of Friday, Nov. 16.

I can validate this source as accurate and verifiable based on prior submissions. Warning: Spoiler information follows.

Michelle Monaghan (left) and Rosario Dawson.
Photo credit: IMDb

Thursday’s filming, which is [said to be] the second to last day of shooting, was a shoot in the evening in the Uptown neighborhood [of Chicago] at Wilson and Broadway.

The shoot began with Shia and Michelle parked in their Porsche Cayenne Turbo in an alley next to the El [train] station on Wilson. Michelle sat on the driver’s side.

Shia began the scene by running up to the car in a panic. He jumped into the passenger’s seat where he and Michelle began to argue. All of a sudden, the rear driver’s side window would shatter.

They were simulating Shia and Michelle being shot at.

Chicago Police [Department] officers were running out of the El stop with guns drawn. [They were] shooting at the car as Shia frantically began screaming at Michelle to “Go! Go! Go!”

Numerous takes and angles were shot as the car sat idled.

Around 12:30 a.m., the crew began setting up for a high-speed car chase scene where the Porsche would barrel out of the alley heading east on Wilson. [It would] fly around the corner and turn left on Broadway.

Chicago police had Wilson and Broadway closed in all directions as rehearsals began between 1 and 1:30 a.m. Michelle and Shia’s stunt doubles were in the car with Michelle’s stunt double driving.

Shia LaBeouf (left) and Billy Bob Thornton.
Photo credit: IMDb
There were five or six regular cars being driven by stunt drivers and three Chicago police vehicles with stunt drivers. All the streets were sprayed down with water.

One of the Chicago police vehicles would be heading north on Broadway.

As the Porsche fishtailed through the middle of the intersection, the police vehicle would do a [180-degree turn] in the middle of Wilson and Broadway to chase the Porsche. [The] other police vehicles would chase from other directions.

The chase scene was very well choreographed and rehearsed numerous times.

It was amazing to see all the stunt drivers carry out their assignments with perfect precision take after take at high speed with numerous cars spinning and fishtailing in the middle of the intersection.

Numerous takes were done with the stunt doubles from different angles. This was shot with multiple cameras. Around 4 a.m., Shia returned to the vehicle for interior filming with Michelle’s stunt double still behind the wheel.

The camera was placed inside the vehicle with the camera operator in the back seat filming Shia as the Porsche went through the same route (this time, however, at a slower speed).

After a couple takes, Shia was done for the evening.

It was now Michelle’s turn behind the wheel with Shia’s stunt double in the passenger seat. She did a couple rehearsals and a couple takes. Filming was done at approximately 5:30 a.m.

DreamWorks Sets Milestone, Inks Four-Picture Deal With IMAX 3D

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:39:35 -0700

The man means business. On July 12, 2007, I published an interview with IMAX Filmed President Greg Foster in Time Out Chicago where he promised “the vast majority will be in 3D” down the road.

I just received word that IMAX announced its first multiple 3D picture deal with a Hollywood studio. DreamWorks is blazing a path as the innovator on the heels of Friday’s high-profile release of “Beowulf” in IMAX 3D.

The IMAX 3D releases will include “Monsters vs. Aliens” in March 2009, “How to Train Your Dragon” in Nov. 2009 and “Shrek Goes Forth” in May 2010. “Kung Fu Panda” will be released in IMAX 2D in June 2008.

“DreamWorks Animation envisions 3D as the future of CGI animation,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler in a statement.

The IMAX 3D titles are slated to be among the first shown with IMAX’s digital 3D projection system, which is scheduled to appear in June 2008. Paramount will be the exclusive distributor of the pictures.

“DreamWorks Animation’s creative spirit is well suited for IMAX 3D,” Foster said on the announcement.