Transformers 2 Filming Underway?
An intrepid motorist caught some pretty decent camera phone shots of a vehicle in Culver City carrying one of the stars and stunt double of Transformers 2. Is this to say that filming is underway?
Check out FilmSchoolRejects for a couple more shots of the Saleen Mustang/Barricade.
A set of photos sent over by a friend this afternoon might lead you to believe that the filming of Transformers 2 is getting close to being underway. The pictures were snapped from a camera phone in Culver City, and they are clearly Saleen Mustangs with the Decepticon logo on the side.
I have always liked the idea of Barricade being a cop car. What better way for the badguy to hide than in a law enforcement vehicle.
My concern is this, and I hope it gets explained a bit better. The Transformers all seem to have this adaptive power to “scan” a vehicle and take on its look as to better blend in with the vehicles of Earth right? So what Vehicle did Barricade scan that looks like that? Obviously a Mustang pursuit cruiser, but one that has the Decepticons logo on it and “to Punish and Enslave” on it? Do they have the ability to add their own flavour to their hideaway form?
If they have control to change what they look like at will, then why do they scan an earth vehicle at all? My concern isn’t to nitpick, but rather to clarify. Then mostly so that I can say this:
Prime? Seriously… Flames? Come on…
26 Comments, Comment or Ping
Bryan C.
That is something out from the old cartoons, I remember one “Tracks” had the big Autobot logo on his hood surrounded by flames. So yeah to answer your question they can.
Mar 27th, 2008
Gareth
good Barricade lives now he can go back to hunting Ladiesman217
Mar 27th, 2008
Fred
lol As much of a hardcore Optimus Prime fan that I am…I actually started to like the flames and it’s to the point now that I can’t see this version of the Big Bot without those flames. I’ve seen photoshopped pics of this Prime where they changed the top to all red and his legs all blue and it didn’t look good at all. For me, all I need is his personality to stay the same and Peter Cullen voicing him and I am a happy camper :D
Mar 27th, 2008
Rodney
@Bryan, the toons all had the logo blazing somewhere on them, but not so much in the movie. Having the Autobot logo on Bumblebee’s steering wheel was a hint at that.
Barricade is the only one to have given himself something that bluntly specific that would certainly wouldnt have been from the source vehicle he scanned.
Mar 27th, 2008
Kouri
As far as the Decepticon insignia is conerned, it’s probably that they need to scan the disguise to ensure accuracy, but the paint job is up to each individual bot. If I recall, G1 Optimus Prime scanned an orange truck, but retained his red and blue color scheme. If you’re going to nitpick, you might also want to point out Ratchet’s insignia on the Emergency Response logo, or Bumblebee’s on the steering wheel.
As for the flames, it’s just the style that the big rigs are using these days. If you’re going to blend in, keep up with the times, no?
Mar 27th, 2008
Kristina
Now they can explain where the fuck Barricade ran off to. Fucking pussy.
Mar 27th, 2008
TigerClaw
We never knew what happened to Barricade in the first movie, So this is a pretty good indication that he will be back for the 2nd movie. Great news! :)
Mar 27th, 2008
fritzilla
The big question is, if they can just scan something and then be that thing, why not scan a jet, then a tank, then a rocket, then a submarine, and combine all froms when fighting?
For instance, why are the autobots restricting themselves to driving on roads instead of changing to any jet they want and flying to their destination?
It seems like if they had to pick a ONE time transformation then it might make sense. Or if it took a LONG time to scan and transform then it would hinder on the spot changes. But we saw instant changes in the movie.
If I were Bumble Bee, at the end I would have scanned Starscream and became a jet and fought him in the air.
Just my 2 cents
Mar 27th, 2008
Chris Bunker
This film could be “Empire Strikes Back” or Speed 2: Cruise Control im kinda nervous they already shooting so soon the film needs to be great like spider man 2 being way better then the first one great. He hit a homerun with the first one dont hit a double with this. What do you all think?
Mar 28th, 2008
Kouri
@fritzilla
You’re forgetting one important thing: Mass shifting. Save for Barricade and Frenzy, most of the Decepticons where MUCH larger than the Autobots. Honestly, it’s amazing the ‘Bots survived for as long as they have. Bumblebee wouldn’t be able to turn into a feasible jet - he’d be lucky to have enough material to form a wing. >.>
Aside from size, part of the decision may also be based upon personal preference. Following G1, Prime was pretty much a stock worker. He chose an alt mode that carried stuff around. ^^;
Another thing may just be experience. Again, looking at G1 (and yes, I know this move is anything BUT G1, but we’ve got little-to-no backstory for these characters, so I’m using what I’ve got), the Autobots were at their best on wheels and roads.The Decepticons took to the skies. The difference was so great, that specialized teams had to be developed to cover each faction’s weakness. The Decepticons couldn’t maneuver all too well on land, so the Stunticons were developed for land assault. The Autobots had few, if any, fliers, and developed the Aerialbots to compensate. Prime probably doesn’t turn into a submarine or something else because he’s used to driving on land.
Mar 28th, 2008
pandaboy99
Everytime you have a question like that… just think that wizards did it… oh by the way… there are no such things as robots who come from other worlds and transform.
Mar 28th, 2008
Robert(wolf)
This is a very exciting picture. My blood is flowing and slowing pumping for the sequel.
@fritzilla
Some transformers do, such a Blitzwing and Astrotrain. In the original cartoon the writers only selected few to do this, so they can sell toys. If the writers for the movie gave the transformers the ability to all triple change, then that would suck bastardizing the franchise. If Bumblebee scanned Starscream, everyone would tilt their heads and go WTF???
Mar 28th, 2008
craig
this reminds me of the first car pics when ‘transformers’ was just gearing up!!!
how exciting!!
all the anticipation for this GREAT!!!
does concern me tho if these are going to locations or what not they have got a script put together so quickly!!
Mar 28th, 2008
Ransom
There are many things about the movie and the Transformers series in general that don’t make sense. I think that trying to explain away all these inconsistencies can only lead to frustration.
Sure, the writers could have made an effort to explain some things or provide more backstory to the characters, but then there wouldn’t be time for Michael Bay’s close up panning shots or over stylized quick cut action scenes.
I enjoyed the movie but as soon as one of the Autobots peed on someone, I stopped caring about the story.
The only way to approach this movie is to accept it for its faults and just enjoy it for its entertainment value.
Mar 28th, 2008
Kevin C
I think of it this way, the transformers can scan any vehicle they want, but the little things like color and logos decals, etc, those can be customized by each respective robot.
I envision Barricade scanning a police cruiser and then making a few changes to the words and logos for a goof.
Mar 28th, 2008
12 Monkeys
Is Barricade heading to Philly? Are they still doing part 2 in Philadelphia like the rumor said? I live in Philly and would take off the entire summer to see 50 foot robots battling it out in center city.
Mar 28th, 2008
Bryan C.
@Rodney
I know but I was just answering the question they could and used that as an example. I know as a TF fan I shouldn’t try to mix G1 with the Moive but at the time it was the only logical example I could use. I honestly don’t think they should explain it. It would take away some of it’s cool factor to him.
Mar 28th, 2008
Matt
@ Chris Bunker:
I don’t think it’s too early to start shooting. They have to probably take an entire year to just create all the CGI for the film anyways so I don’t see them starting shooting so early as a problem. Also, keep in mind that this is just a photo of them transporting some props - it doesn’t mean they’ve begun production - just moving props. Nothing more.
Mar 28th, 2008
Omar
Remember that Bay showed The Beef some animatics a few months ago so my guess is that they are shooting plates for action scenes and such so they can start work on the CGI as early as possible.
Mar 28th, 2008
chris bunker
I want the Dinobots man. I bet we will have to wait for Transformers 3 for that. The constructicons will prob be in this one i bet. The visual effects in the first one set a new standard i hope we are as shocked by the effects in this one or the feel wont be the same. I know Avatar is coming out the same year and that could garner all the attention. I want it to be good and believe it or not i trust Mike to make it good. He knows what we need. Jaw dropping shit. Go get em.
Mar 28th, 2008
JAMIE
Kristina
HEY hes not a pussy he just knows to pick his battles!!!! him and starscream!!!! look at what happened to dumbass blackout, blown up by an infantryman in a bike…dumbass…..
and this is good…ive been asking “hey did barricade die in the 1st movie?” like a million times and thank god- hes alive cuz hes my fav transformer..like..ever
Mar 29th, 2008
JAMIE
RODNEY
they COULD have made baricade a tank but- it wasnt their only mistake: naming brawl devastator? bumblebee a chevy and jazz a pontiac?
for some reason they went for all american vehicles even though bumblebee is a VW and jazz a porche.
and optimus prime looked awsome with the flames and..all autobots had an insignia on them. prime had it on like the front of the truck but it was like 3 inches big
and dude if these machines can fucking transform into F-22s and back to nuclear fighting robots..i dont think the paintjob is going to be an issue
Mar 29th, 2008
Rodney
The “some reason” they went with all american vehicles is that they got a hell of a deal from GM to put only GM vehicles in the movie.
That, and VW refused to let them use a beetle for Bumblebee because they didn’t want their classic vehicle to be associated as a weapon.
Optimus Prime would have looked no less awesome without the flames. The flames took away from his presence. My only issue was with the flames. I understand that they transform into anything. My question pertained to the “scanning” thing as that was the excuse for giving Prime flames.
Mar 29th, 2008
JAMIE
oooohhh what the fuck? didn’t want their classic vehicle to be associated as a weapon??? wasnt VW the brand that made the camps the nazis used??? (either that or bens i dont remember it wasnt a retorical question) but yeah i guess if they had a good deal- and the pontiac looked raw and so did the chevy and i loved them..im just saying…
and dude they have to scan the earth vehicles EVEN if they can personalize them and change them however they want because theyre from cybertron. they cant turn into something theyve never seen before. so they studied our language and everything then after barricade chnaed into a mustang saleem he changed the “to serve and protect” police motto.
it just helps the viewer understand the movie better
and yeah i like it when they keep the characters the way they were in the comic books/show but the flames wasnt that bad i mean he rocked it, even though it was unrelevant and uncalled for- the flames kinda gave him an identity in some way. he wasnt just a red and blue truck. maybe it was just a little too simple who knows
i think that the scanning thing had to do alot with their personalities, autobots and decepticons have like a human side in a way, in the comic books barrricade was always the one that killed humans in the meanest way and he did it in a evil/comical sort of way and enjoyed it(like when he tricked them by saying he was a good guy then vaporizing them all)
so they made the “to punish and enslave” thing and its fitting for him.
so my point is maybe the bumper stickers and vinyls are just so the viewer has an easier time trying to identify the character like the
“bee-otch” thing bumble bee had (im getting one of those!!)
i wasnt surprised barricade had an ironic funny psycho bumper
sticker- his personalitys just like that. i would have been SHOCKED if starscream or brawl did but not barricade
and- i think the 10 wheeler already had the flames on it before optimus scanned it. i dont know but if it didnt then that means he changed it that way himself (durf)
Mar 29th, 2008
takata
Jamie@
you answered your self (about why VW didnt want his car associated as a weapon) on the first lines you wrote read again.
Kris@
agree barricade is a big pussy and he is dumb dumb too.
He skan a cop car but write “TO PUNISH AND TO ENSLAVE” with the decepticon logo instead of the sheriff logo nice way to infiltrate in a place full of cop cars.
Rod@
Optimus is a embassador for the autobots and like such he needs to absorb as much of culture he can from earth.
The problem was all the culture he picked on the internet was from a computer from a fat truck driver living in kentuck sooo you saw the results…
In the new movie he will talk like BILLY RAY CYRUS to make a better mix with the flames and roll out under HANNAH MONTANA sonudtrack.
(BECAUSE MORE MERCHANDISE IS BETTER)
and no one cares aniway.
Mar 30th, 2008
JAMIE
@takata
ooohhhh yeeaah okay i see..yeah makes sense…
and..ookaaaaaaaay he might be a pussy- but hes still awsome!!!!
Mar 30th, 2008
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