SHANGHAI, July 9 -- MICHAEL Bay's highly anticipated blockbuster "Transformers" will open in Chinese cinemas on Wednesday, only one week later than its release in the United States.

According to Wu Hehu, deputy director of Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city's leading cinema chain, this live-action movie is expected to reap at least 100 million yuan (US$13.16 million) at the box office of China.

"With quite a large fan base in China, 'Transformers' is likely to become another hit of this year after '007: Casino Royale' and 'Spider-Man 3',' Wu said.

Li Lan, manager from Paradise Warner Cinema City, said they had sold out all the 350 tickets for the special premiere screening (7pm of July 11) at her cinema.

Before the screening, mainland's actor Xia Yu, a dedicated fan of "Transformers" will bring and showcase his long-time toy collection of the shape-changing robots to the audiences.

"Ever since last week, we have received many calls even from local Transformer fan clubs to check the movie's schedule," Li said. "This 150 million budgeted production replete with magnificent scenes and massive stunts will surely be among the most popular movies of this year."

Officials from SFG Village Cinema City said they would also present a large toy show on iconic Transformer leaders Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Based on the Hasbro's popular cartoon TV series in the 1980s, the "Transformers" live-action movie which stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox centers on the arrival of the "Robots in Disguise" and the eruption of the Autobot-Decepticon war on Earth - with humans caught in the middle.

"The story of 'Transformers' has influenced my generation," said Tian Wei, a 29-year-old architect. "The new 'Transformers' movie will add to young-adult nostalgia for 1980s toy craze. My friends and I won't miss it."

Both the dubbed version and the English version with Chinese subtitles will be available at local theaters.