Michael Bay recently revealed that Transformers 3 delves into the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet’s most dangerous secrets. “The movie is more of a mystery,” Bay says. “It ties in what we know as history growing up as kids with what really happened.”

Now, an AICN reader sent the site a new image that is allegedly from the set of Transformers 3 in Chicago. I say allegedly because Transformers 3 is supposed to be shooting in Chicago between July 10th and August 19th and the photo below clearly shows a camera crew shooting this bot on the back of a truck (and it’s only June).

I agree with Merrick over at AICN that the bot does have an old-school Russian “space race” feel to it, which would tie in to the plot that Bay previously spilled but, the other thing that I would point out is that it looks to have big boxing glove style fists and the hydraulics in it’s wrists that would indicate it could perform a punching action. Because of that, I’m saying it’s likely a second unit shoot for Hugh Jackman‘s forthcoming movie REAL STEEL, directed by Shawn Levy (which is currently shooting in Michigan).

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.