UPTOWN — Hollywood is headed for Uptown.
The Uptown Theatre and the Green Mill Jazz Club are scheduled as filming sites for "Transformers 4" next week.
On Aug. 28 and 29, Paramount Pictures crews will shoot sequences for the blockbuster film, starring Mark Wahlberg (instead of franchise mainstay Shia LeBeouf) at the two historic venues, 4802-4816 N. Broadway, according to the office of Ald. James Cappleman (46th).
Friends of the Uptown, a group of volunteers and boosters pushing for the renovation of the long-vacant theater, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that "due to its incredible interiors and availability, the Uptown Theatre is one of the filming locations of Transformers 4."
The post said that the folks behind the film were making improvements to the building in preparation.
"We appreciate the improvements that their team are doing to the building, and we look forward to the great exposure to audiences worldwide," Friends of Uptown said.
Cappleman's office said that filming would close North Broadway from West Gunnison Street to West Lawrence Avenue on Aug. 28 and 29 from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Motorists also can expect some minor parking and traffic restrictions in the area before the filming dates.
A news release from Paramount said that "intermittent closures of Lawrence Ave at Broadway will occur during preparation of the site." North Magnolia Avenue from Lawrence Avenue to Gunnison Street is scheduled to close Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Paramount.
Cappleman's office said a traffic reroute plan would be provided soon, and a letter to residents and local businesses said that the film team is "working closely with the City of Chicago, the Chicago Film Office and the Chicago Police Department to ensure a safe and efficient project."
