Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Michael Bay Punched In Face During Attempted Mugging On Set Of 'Transformers 4' [UPDATED]
Producer/director Michael Bay attends the 'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon' premiere in Times Square on June 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
()
Director Michael Bay was punched in the face yesterday but it wasn't by one of his actors, or a disgruntled movie critic.
Two men allegedly attempted to mug the action movie director on the Hong Kong set of the fourth Transformers movie, then assaulted him when he wouldn't cooperate.
The incident occurred Thursday when two brothers walked up to Bay and the younger one demanded $100,000 in Hong Kong dollars ($12,900 U.S), Reuters reports. The older brother punched the director in the face and then attacked three police officers who tried to intervene.
The brothers were arrested and charged with suspicion of blackmail and assault and a third man was also arrested.
Support for LAist comes from
The three police officers were treated in hospital for minor injuries, while the younger brother asked to be taken for treatment, saying he did not feel well.
Bay, by the way, refused treatment and returned to filming. A police spokeswoman told Reuters his his injuries weren't serious.
All three are in custody and police are investigating ... whether Megan Fox, who once compared the notoriously difficult director to Hitler, is behind it all.
Transformers: Age of Extinction stars Mark Wahlberg.
It's the first movie in the series without Shia LaBeouf, who recently said he'd like to give back all that tainted Transformers cash and get back his credibility. Seems there's a lot of hate for the whole franchise, since Shia was also just assaulted overseas.
UPDATE, 11:00 A.M. Paramount has released a statement that completely contradicts the Reuters report. The statement does not mention an extortion attempt, claims Bay was never hurt (but acted rather heroically) and throws in the baffling addition of an air-conditioner-wielding assailant.
Per Deadline, here is the studio's statement:
Support for LAist comes from
Contrary to several erroneous news reports made today, Bay did not get hurt in a fight on set. 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.
Related:
Director Michael Bay Tries Out the New Transformers Ride
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist