Transformers Premiere: Red Carpet in Times Square

(all images except where noted: TheHopefulTraveler)

(image: Paramount Pictures)

This was becoming an eventful morning in Times Square, first the man up a utility pole surrounded by policy down the street and now crews putting the final touches of the red carpet for the New York premiere tonight of the latest Transformers movie.

Just yesterday there was no sign of the staging and red carpet. Overnight crews set everything up on the pedestrian mall between 46th and 47th Streets. After the premiere tonight, it's likely all traces of the event would be gone by morning. Prominent on the stage is the Bumblebee transformer and a heavily-armed red Chevrolet Impala. With fans of the films, curious tourists and the appearance of celebrities walking the red carpet, the traffic (both people and vehicle) and security will be massive by this afternoon

The location of the red carpet appears to be a public relations stunt with the premiere of the film screened at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. However the premiere party is scheduled at the Edison Ballroom in Times Square.

The third installment of the science fiction/action series called "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" stars Shia LeBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Patrick Dempsey, Frances McDormand and John Malkovich.  The film officially opens July 1 on movie screens nationwide. Click HERE for photos of the premiere.