Reports are coming in that director Michael Bay was assaulted on Thursday while working on the Hong Kong set of the next Transformers film. It appears, according to statements made via news-agency Reuters, that two men approached the director during shooting in a busy downtown area near Quarry Bay and demanded money from Bay - allegedly amounting to HK$100,000. One local source suggested that the money may have been linked to them missing out on 'disturbance fees' paid to local businesses that were inconvenienced by the film shooting there.
When the money was not forthcoming, the men apparently caused a disturbance of their own and the director was struck on the right side of his face by one of the two men who are further reported to be brothers. Three police officers apparently intervened and a further fight broke out resulting in the two men - and an additional man - being arrested.
Bay's injuries were not serious and shooting resumed later in the day. Transformers: Age of Extinction which is likely to have a lot of scenes filmed in eastern locations including China, opens in the UK next July.
UPDATED: In which Bay makes his attackers eat their words. And their shoes?
Michael Bay has now posted his own version of events on his blog: HERE
Paramount's statement on the incident ran as follows:
“Contrary to several erroneous news reports made today, Bay did not get hurt in a fight on set,” said Paramount. “The production company did have a bizarre encounter with a man (allegedly under the influence of a narcotic substance) who was wielding an air conditioning unit as a weapon. The man, who had earlier accosted several other crew members, rushed onto the set in Quarry Bay and swung the air conditioning unit directly at Bay’s head. The director ducked and wrested the air conditioner from his attacker, preventing what could have been a serious accident. The company’s security team quickly stepped in and subdued the assault. The police, who also scuffled with the assailant and two of his companions, ultimately arrested the three men. No one on the cast or crew was injured and the production immediately resumed filming without further incident.”
We're not sure which version is more accurate/dramatic... or, most importantly, cinematic..?
