Movies - Transformers: Rise of the Beasts: duel atop Machu Picchu and in the Peruvian jungle

By Mulder, 07 june 2023

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is an American science-fiction action film based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line, and primarily influenced by the Beast Wars storyline. The film is the seventh installment in the Transformers film series and the sequel to Bumblebee (2018). The film is directed by Steven Caple Jr from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber. It will star Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Vélez and Tobe Nwigwe in his film debut, as well as the voices of Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Liza Koshy, Cristo Fernández, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and previous voice actors Peter Cullen, John DiMaggio and David Sobolov.

Set in the early 1990s, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts features a conflict between alien robots on Earth. Part of the film was shot in Peru, between September and November 2022, from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Tarapoto jungle. The Paramount production - whose Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is directed by Steven Caple Jr. and stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback - serves as both a sequel to Bumblebee (2018) and a prequel to the Transformers saga. The story is set in 1994, when former military electronics expert Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) and archaeologist Elena Wallace (Elena Fishback) join a war between the Autobots and three factions of the Transformers race: the Maximals, Predacons and Terrorcons. Part of the filming took place in Peru between September and November 2022. More than 30 vehicles, including trucks, sports cars, vintage cars and motorcycles, were shipped to the south of the country for this famous sci-fi blockbuster.

PRomperú is Mincetur's export, tourism and image promotion agency. This ministry is the public body responsible for defining, directing, executing, coordinating and supervising foreign trade and tourism policy. It is also responsible for the integration and development of international negotiations.

Promperu's support was instrumental in coordinating and obtaining filming permits. Promperu worked closely with the production team to ensure an appropriate experience at the filming locations selected by the production: Cusco, Tarapoto and the citadel of Machu Picchu to name but a few. "Shooting Transformers: Rise of the Beasts at Machu Picchu is a great privilege. Our aim is to evoke the spiritual connection each of us feels when we stand in this sacred place and appreciate what has been achieved by this great civilization. It's also our responsibility not to distract from the story, which is why we strive to separate the historical part from the fictional stories we feed it," said director Steven Caple Jr. "As a filmmaker, I find it truly inspiring to immerse our film in Peruvian culture, to film in Cusco, located in the highlands of the Andes, where it's possible to find traces of a sophisticated Inca civilization that has survived over time and continues to be alive in the communities of Cusco," added Caple Jr. about filming in Peru.

The film opens in cinemas across France on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. On the occasion of the New York premiere, Promperu caught up with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, director Steven Caple JR. and actors Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback to talk about filming in Peru. Watch the video (in English, with Spanish subtitles):

the filming locations are : 

San Martin region (Northern High Jungle): 
- Alto Shilcayo nature reserve - ideal for nature lovers, hikers and birdwatchers in search of new landscapes and waterfalls. Night excursions also offer the chance to observe poisonous frogs, such as the amazing Ranitomeya.
- Cascadas La Unión - Two small waterfalls tumbling over natural stones form a vast pool of warm water, amid a lush, intensely green landscape.
- Shapaja District - Named after the palm tree known as "Shapaja", this tropical region is endemic to this tree.
- Catarata Ahuashiyacu - In Quechua-lamista, the name of this 40-metre-high waterfall means "singing water" or "laughing water", and is one of San Martin's most visited attractions.

Cusco Region (southeastern Andes) : 
- Cusco - The city is considered the archaeological capital of America. The ancient Inca capital was organized and built in the shape of a puma, with its head at Saqsaywaman. Today, the architecture of the city center is predominantly Spanish colonial, built from the stones of the old town, the result is strikingly beautiful.
- Saqsaywaman - Considered by Spaniards and experts alike to be a military building overlooking the heights of Cusco. Stones over 5 metres high and weighing 120 tonnes were used in its construction.
- Chinchero District - This region is distinguished by its various textile factories, where locals showcase the artisanal process of its famous fabrics made from natural fibers and dyes. Another highlight is the Chinchero Archaeological Park, a magnificent place where terraces, platforms, walls and stone foundations bear witness to the existence of the palace of emperor Tupac Inka Yupanqui.
- Salinas de Maras - Just 6.6 kilometers from the town of Maras, one of the largest salt extraction centers of pre-Hispanic origin is nestled in the steep slopes of the valley, with 5,000 terraced salt pans.
- Wiñayhuayna - or "forever young" in Quechua. Access to this archaeological complex is difficult, but the surrounding nature and architecture are impressive. The last stop on the Inca Trail before Machupicchu (5km from the citadel), it takes between 2 and 4 days to walk there, depending on the starting point.
- Machupicchu - One of the New 7 Wonders of the World. This sacred site is perhaps the best example of man's ability to build a gigantic stone complex in the middle of a paradisiacal landscape while respecting natural harmony. The result is truly breathtaking.
- Abra Málaga - This is a private conservation area set up to preserve the local Polylepis forest (the world's tallest flowering tree, growing at altitudes of up to 5,000 metres), as well as the region's wildlife, resources and landscapes.

Peru is a country with great potential as a "photogenic" destination, and has attractive landscapes for international production, thanks to its geographical, ecological and cultural diversity. Promperú provides producers and directors with the Film in peru online platform to help them in their research and development: catalog of filming locations, production notes, directory of logistical services at national level (local production companies, suppliers, hotels, etc.). Film in peru (https://filminperu.peru.info/) also offers guidance and ongoing support for those interested in filming in the country. Peru boasts a wide variety of ethnic groups and living cultures, with vibrantly colorful cultural events and a rich folklore that fuses music, dance and traditional celebrations that have stood the test of time. The diversity of gastronomy is also remarkable. The result of the fusion of climates, cultures, colors and flavors of the coast, the Andes and the Amazon makes the experience of filming in Peru unforgettable.

Following the critical and commercial success of Bumblebee, Paramount and Hasbro announced that a sequel would take place in early 2019. In November 2020, Caple was hired as the film's director, becoming the first filmmaker of color to direct a live-action Transformers movie. In 2021, Ramos and Fishback were cast in the lead human roles, a first for the franchise with actors of color, and details of the film were revealed that summer at a virtual event hosted by Paramount. Like its predecessor, this is the second live-action Transformers film not to be directed by Michael Bay, who is once again producing.

Principal photography began on June 7, 2021 in Los Angeles. Filming also took place in parts of Peru such as Machu Picchu, Cusco, Tarapoto, San Martín Montreal and Brooklyn. On October 20, it was announced that filming was officially over. Jongnic Bontemps will provide the film's music, having worked with Caple on his first film, The Land. Bontemps is the first person of color to compose for a live-action Transformers film, and the third composer in the series after Steve Jablonsky and Dario Marianelli.

Synopsis: 
In 1994, a pair of human archaeologists from Brooklyn find themselves at the heart of an ancient conflict during a round-the-world adventure with the Autobots, linked to three factions of the Transformers race: the Maximals, the Predacons and the Terrorcons.

Transformers: rise of the beasts 
Directed by Steven Caple Jr. 
Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto & Don Murphy, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, Duncan Henderson
Executive producers: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Brian Oliver, Bradley J. Fischer, Valerii An
Written by Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters
Based on Beast Wars: Transformers by Larry DiTillio, Bob Forward
With Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Lauren Velez
Director of photography: Lula Carvalho  
Production companies: Skydance Media, New Republic Pictures, Hasbro Films, Entertainment One, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Bay Films
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: June 9, 2023 (U.S.), June 7, 2023 (France)
Running time: 128 minutes

(Source : press release)