Photos: ‘Transformers 4’ filming in 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)