While plot details of the new Transformers movie continue to be shrouded in secrecy, with the producing studio even circulating false rumours to keep fans guessing, there have been a few interesting items revealed and confirmed that have undoubtedly already increased anticipation in the follow-up to one of the most successful movies from 2007.

According to the Michael Bay (Director) official website, principal photography is set to begin on June 2nd in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania among the iconic blast furnaces of Bethlehem Steel.  They will apparently be transformed into a fictional Chinese city where the shape-shifting robots will see action.

Also, despite Shia LaBeouf being the only confirmed actor to reprise his role, a new Transformer has been revealed.  In an interview with screenwriter Roberto Orci, IGNMovies was able to get him to disseminate what many fans have been clamoring for…what new Transformers are we in store for? While an entire list hasn’t been issued, the new confirmed Decepticon is Soundwave, whose unique alternate mode is a microcassette recorder.

Soundwave can detect and jam radio transmissions plus has vast data storage capacities wherein he stores various Decepticon spy cassettes like Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.  But will these spy cassettes make an appearance?  Who knows.

The only thing I find strange about this choice is, considering our advances in digital music, will Soundwave remain a cassette recorder or will he step up to being and iPod, or at the very least a CD Player?  Just imagine him being an oversized Cell Phone and sporting Ringtones…Ha!

Tranformers 2 is set for theatrical release in Summer 2009.