An explosion on Damen just north of the Stevenson Expressway for filming of the movie “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
The latest “Transformers” movie takes over Chicago.
Smoke can be seen in the air after an explosion on the set of Transformers: Age of Extinction. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
At left are “cherry pickers” with remote cameras attached as well as a helicopter filming from above. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
Covered cars and the truck portraying Optimus Prime sit parked on LaSalle Street while a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Crew members stand nearby as the truck portraying Optimus Prime sits parked on LaSalle Street while a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A crew pauses between filming scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A crew pauses between filming scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Areas of downtown were blocked off as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A crew pauses between filming scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A couple gets their photo taken between takes as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A grip gets a drink of water between filming scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Areas of downtown were blocked off as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
The car portraying the character Bumblebee arrives on set as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
The car portraying the character Bumblebee arrives on set as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Areas of downtown were blocked off as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
The car portraying the character Bumblebee arrives on set as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
The car portraying the character Bumblebee arrives on set as a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Pedestrians photograph a crew filming scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” on LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Pedestrians stopped to look at the truck portraying Optimus Prime as it sat parked on LaSalle Street while a crew filmed scenes from the upcoming film “Transformers 4” in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
The “Transformers 4” film crew prepares Optimus Prime for shooting outside the Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower. (Luis Gomez / Chicago Tribune)
Actors stand ready for an explosion during the filming of “Transformers 4” along East Randolph Street in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
An explosion takes place during the filming of “Transformers 4” along East Randolph Street in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
An explosion takes place during the filming of “Transformers 4” along East Randolph Street in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Actor Kelsey Grammer cools down with a fan between filming scenes of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25 (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Director Michael Bay talks with actor Kelsey Grammer during the filming of a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Extras film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Extras film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Extras film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Director Michael Bay directs extras film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug. 25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Actor Kelsey Grammer cools down with a fan between filming scenes of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25 (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Actor Kelsey Grammer cools down with a fan between filming scenes of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25 (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
A helicopter assists the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
A helicopter assists the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
A helicopter assists the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Director Michael Bay directs extras film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug. 25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
onlookers watch the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
onlookers watch the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Crews prepare to film a scene of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug. 25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
onlookers watch the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Onlookers photograph exotic cars used in the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Onlookers photograph exotic cars used in the filming of ‘Transformers 4’ in downtown Chicago on Aug.25. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)
Crews ready camera equipment as they prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A crew member takes photos of the set as they prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago was made to look like China as crews prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago was made to look like China as crews prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago was made to look like China as crews prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
A crew member readies the set as they prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4 along East Cermak Road near McCormick Place in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Signs direct actors and crew to the set after Chicago was made to look like China as crews prepared for filming scenes for Transformers 4. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
