Third Transformers Goes to the Dark of the Moon

The "dark of the moon" is defined as a phase (approximately three days) when the light of the moon is obscured, and thus absent (i.e. a no-moon time), and precedes the new moon and the beginning of a new lunar cycle. Symbolically, it represents a time of inner stillness and contemplation, and preparedness for a new beginning. "Dark of the Moon" also has been chosen as the final title for Michael Bay’s third -- and apparently last – “Transformers” movie. Is it has something to do with Bay intention to make this third film darker and more emotional, also more serious than his previous efforts? Well, after the terribly frivolous “Revenge of the Fallen”, he really must make up for the mess and deliver a high note final for the trilogy. In order to satisfy the franchise’s fans, this also has to be better than the rather enjoyable, albeit problematic, first “Transformers”. Bay already confirmed that the new film isn’t necessarily larger than “Revenge of the Fallen”, but instead go deeper into the mythos, give it more character development & storytelling, and make it and focus it more on the characters. Series executive producer and Hasbro head Brian Goldner also has explained further about Bay's idea for the storyline, adding that the forthcoming movie will bring the core mythology from the Autobots and Decepticons' history. The plot could involve humans turning against the Autobots as they feel unsafe with their presence, on set, walls were graffited and bins were covered with the Autobot logo writen "Go Home" underneath. Either way, I still don’t know if we’re going to get a Transformers movie that’s as straightforward and epic as it should be – but hey, anything is possible, right?In “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, the Autobots Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009s Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. There are new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime "Transformers" character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth.Some facts that will transform your summer:

# In a hidden extra for the Blu-ray version of “Revenge of the Fallen”, Bay expressed his intention to make “Transformers 3” not necessarily larger than “Revenge”, but instead go deeper into the mythos, give it more character development, and make it darker and more emotional.

# About 70% of the film was shot in 3-D, using Arri Alexa and Sony F35 cameras, while other footage was shot in the anamorphic format on 35mm film and converted into 3D in post production.

# At first, Bay was reluctant to film with 3-D cameras since in test he'd found them to be too cumbersome for his filming style, but he didn't want to implement the technology in post production either since he was not pleased with the results.

# Rosie Huntington-Whiteley had worked with Bay before in various Victoria's Secret commercials. Previously Bay had narrowed it to three final candidates: model Brooklyn Decker, actress Sarah Wright, and Huntington-Whiteley being the front-runner, even though she had zero acting experience.

# When Megan Fox dropped out shortly before filming began, Gemma Arterton, Ashley Greene, Miranda Kerr, Bar Refaeli, Amber Heard, Camilla Belle, Katie Cassidy, Heidi Montag and Anna Kendrick also were rumored to replace her.

# Despite Michael Bay's initial denial of their return, the Twins, Skids and Mudflap, were once intended to appear in the film, restyled to both transform into black Chevrolet Sparks with green and orange stripes respectively. Scenes were even shot for them, and their toys were released in the official toy line, but they have allegedly been dropped from the film's final cut, However, their Car modes appeared breifly in the therical trailer, whatever or not it means they are still in the film remains unknown.

# Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who worked on the screenplay for the previous two films, declined to work on this film due to schedules with other films and because they "risked getting stale."

# The Autobots have upgraded their alternate modes: - Bumblebee has received an upgrade and is now a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro - Ratchet's color scheme now includes white and his green is more grass-green than his previous neon/yellow green - Sideswipe is now a Chevrolet Centennial Corvette convertible.

# The Autobot Wheeljack's alternate mode in "Transformers" (1984) was a Lancia Stratos sportscar, but this was revised to a Mercedes-Benz E550 automobile.

# Megatron's alternate mode in this film is a Mack Titan tanker truck, his first Earth disguise. This was chosen to put him on parallel with Optimus Prime (the filmmakers described him as "a demented version of Prime"). This mode also pays homage to the "Transformers: Robots in Disguise" (2001) Decepticon Scourge (also known in Japan as "Nemesis Prime"), who is an evil clone of Optimus Prime.

# Sentinel Prime is primarily based on his role in the "Transformers" comics (Optimus Prime's yellow-colored predecessor) and his lance and shield were taken from his "Transformers: Animated" (2007) incarnation, but his later form on Earth - a red Rosenbauer Panther fire truck - is a homage to "Transformers: Robots in Disguise" (2001)'s Optimus Prime, whose alternate mode was a fire truck.

# Production stalled in Chicago as Gabriella Cedillo, an extra was seriously injured driving her own car as background for a stunt shot. The stunt was taking place in the opposite lane and a metal object - rigging from a snapped cable - went flying through her windshield and struck her in the skull. Cedillo suffered permanent brain damage, included left side paralysis and limited vision in her left eye. Paramount Studios provided an undisclosed amount of money to cover the cost of her medical care.

# During filming in Washington, DC, the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro that plays Bumblebee was struck by an metro police K-9 SUV responding to a bomb alert. The police officer involved sustained minor injuries, and Bumblebee sustained considerable damage. Filming was able to continue, as there were copies of each automobile for shooting purposes.

Automark your calendar on:

Jun 29: Belgium, Egypt, France, Italy, Norway, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland (Fr), Taiwan
Jun 30: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Rep, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Serbia&Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland (Ger), Thailand, UAE, Ukraine
Jul 01: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Cyprus, Finland, Iceland, India, Ireland, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland (Itl), Turkey, UK, US, Venezuela
Jul 08: China
Jul 29: Japan

Sources: IMDB, Wikipedia – Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures