'Transformers 4' First Photo Released, Filming Huge Explosions
The first promotional photo from "Transformers 4: Age of Extinction" was released on Monday, starring Mark Wahlberg.
Directed by Michael Bay, the "Transformers" sequel follows Cade [Wahlberg], an automobile mechanic who is forced to protect his teenage daughter from the Decepticons when he accidentally sets off the robot apocalypse.
Bay released the first photo for the film on him website almost a year after he had initially announced Wahlberg as a cast member.
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"Mark is awesome," explained the director at the time,
Bay has worked with the "The Fighter" actor before on "Pain and Gain."
"We had a blast working on 'Pain and Gain' and I'm so fired up to be back working with him," the director added.
While the three previously released "Transformers" movies have starred Shia LaBeouf, Wahlberg stepped in on the fourth sequel.
"An actor of his caliber is the perfect guy to re-invigorate the franchise and carry on the Transformers' legacy," added the director.
The first "Transformers" was released in 2007 and became the fifth most successful film of the year and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 2009, the film's sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was released and grossed even more than its predecessor. A third film, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" was released in 2011. Each film starred LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky.
Meanwhile, "Transformers 4" filming is taking place in Chicago where several small explosions are taking place for the movie, according to the Chicago Tribune.
After over a month of blowing up small sections of the city, the Chicago shoot will be wrapping up this week.
Officials have estimated that filming in Chicago may have pumped about $27 million into the city's local economy, according to DNAinfo Chicago.
"Transformers 4" will also star Nicola Peltz, Jack Raynor and "Hunger Games" actor Stanley Tucci. The film is scheduled for release on June 27, 2014.
