'Transformers 4' director attacked on HK set

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, October 18, 2013

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American director and producer Michael Bay was attacked on Thursday during his first day of filming for his latest blockbuster sequel "Transformers 4" in Hong Kong.

Contrary to news reports saying Bay had sustained small facial injuries, Paramount Pictures released a statement indicating that neither Bay nor anyone in the cast or crew of "Transformers: Age of Extinction" was injured.

"Contrary to several erroneous news reports made today, Bay did not get hurt in a fight on set," Paramount said, "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 earlier on had already accosted several other crew members, rushed onto the set in Quarry Bay and swung the air conditioning unit directly at Bay's head, the statement pointed out. The director ducked and wrestled the air conditioner from his attacker's hands, preventing what could have been a serious accident. The company's security team quickly stepped in and subdued the assault.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of assault when Michael Bay started his first day of filming for his latest blockbuster sequel "Transformers 4" in Hong Kong, October 17, 2013. [China.org.cn / Agencies]

According to local reports, two brothers surnamed Mak, aged 27 and 28, demanded HK$100,000 (US$12,900) from Bay. They owned a hardware shop at the movie site, but the shop had been closed for days and could not be reached by the production team. Just as shooting started, the shop reopened its doors and the brothers, demanding money, launched an attack on both Bay and his crew.

The younger brother was arrested on suspicion of blackmail and assault, while the elder Mak was arrested on suspicion of assault; meanwhile, three police officers who tried to intervene were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

Also arrested at the scene was a third man surnamed Chan, who is reportedly a wanted suspect. The Anti-Triads (Hong Kong mafia) police department also came to the scene to investigate.

No one from the cast or crew got injured and production immediately resumed filming without further incidents.

It was science fiction blockbuster's first day of production in Hong Kong after having shot across the U.S. since May. "Transformers 4" had such high anticipations to attract Chinese viewers that it selected Beijing, Chongqing and Hong Kong as key cities for this sequel. Additionally, the cast includes several Chinese actors.

Michael Bay also shared his own version of the events on his personal blog, "Yes, the story being passed around is not all true! Yes, some drugged up guys were being belligerent asses to my crew for hours in the morning of our first shoot day in Hong Kong. One guy rolled metal carts into some of my actors trying to shake us down for thousands of dollars to not play his loud music or hit us with bricks."

"Every vendor where we shot got paid a fair price for our inconvenience, but he wanted four times that amount. I personally told this man and his friends to forget it; we were not going to let him extort us." After Bay rejected the extortion attempt, the man returned an hour later, carrying a long air conditioner unit and walking right up to Bay in an attempt to hit his face. "But I ducked, threw the air unit on the floor and pushed him away," Bay wrote.

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