Transformers 4 - Production Filming Set to Shoot Action Scenes Near Adrian Michigan

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The makers of the next installment of the "Transformers" movie franchise plan to shoot an action sequence this month along a wheat field-lined stretch of Michigan state highway near Adrian.

Michigan 52 in Lenawee County's Fairfield Township will host the shooting of an action scene for the movie "Transformers 4," according to The Daily Telegram of Adrian ( https://bit.ly/14EkYam).

In March, the Michigan Film Office said the state approved for a $20 million incentive for "Transformers 4" and said shooting would take place in the Detroit area. The movie, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg, is set for release on June 27, 2014.

Moviemakers will use a 2-mile stretch of M-52, about 65 miles southwest of Detroit, the newspaper said.

"It's quite the deal," said township Supervisor Curtis Emmons. He said the movie's producers were discouraging attention to the shoot to avoid drawing crowds that could be at risk during filming.

"They wanted to keep everything as quiet as they could, for the most part," Emmons said. "That was their main concern, safety."

The Michigan Department of Transportation authorized closing M-52 from 8 p.m. June 25 through 9 a.m. June 29, department spokeswoman Kari Arend said.

"Transformers 4" publicist Gabriela Gutentag said the exact shooting schedule remains to be determined.

"We are still in the process of finalizing our plans in Lenawee County," she said in an email.

Scott Merillat, Lenawee County Road Commission managing director, said the producers were interested in the wheat fields as background.

"Initially they were searching for a four-lane highway," but they settled for the wide two-lane stretch of M-52 after no four-lane roads were available that could be closed for four days, Merillat said.

Two of the previous three "Transformers" movies filmed scenes in Michigan, including the original "Transformers," released in 2007, and the third film, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," which was released in 2011.