So about the Transformers test footage that everyone is crowing about. You've probably heard by now it's supposed to be fake. But wait, what the heck am I talking about?

Earlier today a video being labeled as leaked test footage from the upcoming live action Transformers movie began circulating the internet and got picked up by every movie site that could get their hands on it. It showcases a car transforming into a classic looking Transformer robot next to a very surprised, very bad actor. It really does look an awful lot like real test footage. To see it, click over and visit our friends at FilmRot. They're hosting an easy to download copy of it.

But, is it real? Don Murphy, one of the projects most notorious producers says on his Official Website that it's a fake. Correction, actually what he says is, "NONE of our test footage has been leaked yet." Then he says, "IT IS ALL A FAKE. In some cases a very good fake. But a fake nonetheless." Now a little later in the day, Michael Bay (who isn't directing the film but is still somehow involved) has come out and said the same. It's not the real deal

So, are Murphy and Bay to be believed? I don't know. Frankly, I don't believe anyone anymore, especially someone on the payroll of a major movie production. It's all spin, and if something leaked that they didn't want to, it wouldn't be impossible to believe that they company line would be to lie and say that it's a blatant fake. I'm not saying Don or Michael is lying, I'm just saying that's a possibility you have to consider.

In this case, if it is a fake, it's a really really good one. If you clicked the Film Rot link further up and watched it, you know what I mean. Someone went through an awful lot of trouble. The animation is totally perfect, it's not quite as photorealistic as you'd hope, but it's damn close… which is pretty good for test footage early in the production. Presumably, if this was real, it's only going to get better from what we see. Even if it is a fake, watch it. Seriously. If you have any doubts that a live action Transformers movie can be done (and you people know who you are), maybe this will win you over with the rest of us. Be a nerd, drool a little over giant freakin robots.