'Transformers' Stages Disaster on Columbus St; Explosions and Smoke Expected

Chicago - The movie magic continued around Chicago Wednesday morning for the filming of Transformers 3.

Wednesday morning, smoke and flame effects were expected to be used near the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park, but the filming was cancelled. Simulated explosions were to happen near East Jackson Drive, East Van Buren Street and East Balbo Avenue, according to a press release.

Along train tracks below Columbus Street, film crews had set up a line of destroyed cars several blocks long.

Police and fire officials were to be on hand to manage public safety and supervise special effects, the release said.

Intermittent traffic control on adjacent streets and sidewalks were expected, but the filming was not supposed to otherwise greatly affect traffic.

The release date for the film will be July 1, 2011, FOX Chicago News has learned. Michael Bay said the villain in the new movie will be Shockwave, a robot cyclops turned laser canon.

Tuesday night, Residents and visitors near Trump Tower were treated to a free show, thanks to the latest round of filming.

Fire effects and smoke from building rooftops near Trump Tower at 401 N. Wabash Ave. were used until 10 p.m., in addition to flame effects on the Chicago River and on cars on Columbus Street and Wacker Drive.

A helicopter was hovering over the river nearby to film all the action.