"I Do Not Apologize For Any Transformers Movies" Says Michael Bay
Michael Bay wants to clear a few things up. Earlier this week, we ran a story about Bay saying his upcoming film Transformers: Age of Extinction would be "much more cinematic" and not as "goofy" as the last one. This wasn't the first time one of Bay's quotes seemed to criticize his previous work. Well, turns out, Bay doesn't feel that's true. The director of Bad Boys, Armageddon, The Rock and going on four Transformers movies took to his official site to set the record straight. "I do not apologize for any Transformers movies," he says. Read the full statement below, including the revelation we'll see the first footage from the film during the Super Bowl.
Here's the statement from Bay's website. Here's our story on what he's referring to.
It is a drag talking to reporters on sets. Why? Because often times they take your words and skew things to their liking? Then the crazy, lazy game of reporting on what other writers story's reported me saying and then suddenly it becomes skewed Internet truth. So I waste my time to restate exactly what I did say, again.No I did not 'apologize' for any Transformers movies. I did not say I shot the last three movies "less cool" then the new fourth installment. I was talking specifically about camera style and tone, of the first movie compared to how I shot the new installment with a very big scale, cinematic style. I was very specific in saying the first Transformers was shot in a 'generic suburbia' area, not trying to be cool with any cinematic flashes. I wanted it to feel like this could happen in any backyard in the United States.So that brings me to letting Transformers fans know that we have completed our five and half month shoot. We got back from a month long shoot in China. My crew and I had a fantastic time shooting in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It was an amazing experience, and I love the country. My cast was absolutely fantastic, and a very fun group to work with. We are working hard cutting the movie right now. I think the first piece comes out for the Super Bowl and a teaser right after that.And yes, I'm very excited about this new movie.
Bay is right. It's very easy for people to twist someone's words, and there's a possibility the original quote was built in with context that gives it a different meaning. Or maybe it's not and he just didn't think it came off correctly. Either way, it's good that Bay has a forum to make sure people know what he meant.
On the other hand, I actually found the notion of him looking back at his work and thinking it could be improved encouraging. He does his best, looks back and think "We can do better." Learning from mistakes or improving on your previous work is what makes us human.
Anyway, we'll get our first glimpse of what Bay has in store for us early next year when he debuts footage during the Super Bowl on February 2. Transformers: Age of Extinction opens June 27, 2014.