CHICAGO — The Hollywood blockbuster "Transformers 4" is set to film Downtown this week, and crews promise the work will include helicopters, stunts, special effects and pyrotechnics, according to a filming notice.
The fourth installment in Michael Bay's explosion-filled robot franchise stars Mark Wahlberg, who replaces Shia LaBeouf, along with Kelsey Grammer, who plays a villain in the film.
A notice from the local "Transformers 4" team let residents know that filming would entail street closures from Friday until Monday.
On Friday, crews will work overnight to prepare for filming, and LaSalle Street from Lake Street to Jackson Boulevard will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to the notice. Those overnight closures are scheduled to continue every night until Monday.
Saturday is when onlookers could see the most action, as filming is scheduled to include helicopter work, car stunts, special effects and pyrotechnics, "complete with some loud noises," according to the flier.
From 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday, north and south lanes of LaSalle Street from Lake Street to Jackson Boulevard will be closed to all car traffic for filming, according to the notice. Pedestrian traffic might also be restricted until it is safe, the notice states.
Randolph and Monroe streets from Wells to Clark streets also will be closed for part of the day.
On Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., a low-flying helicopter will travel along LaSalle Street from Randolph Street to Jackson Boulevard, as well as hover over buildings bordering LaSalle Street and Clark Street from Lake Street to Jackson Boulevard.
Cars and pedestrians should expect 10- to 15-minute delays during the helicopter filming, according to the notice.
Chicago Film Office Director Rich Moskal confirmed that filming would take place along LaSalle Street in the Financial District this weekend but cautioned that due to safety concerns, it's uncertain how much of the filming people will be able to watch up close.
Crews are scheduled to work overnight Sunday to clean up LaSalle Street.
The film is expected to bring in about $27 million to the local economy, city officials said earlier this year.
"There is a huge audience for 'Transformers' around the world," Moskal said. "And this is not only exciting when they're filming here, it's equally exciting to see Chicago represented in film for worldwide audiences."
