Transformers: Age of Extinction is currently filming and like its predecessors the film is set in various locations like Hong Kong where the crew is currently stationed where things appeared to be going well until yesterday.
During filming, director and producer Michael Bay was attacked and injured on the set in the busy area of Hong Kong island. According to a police spokeswoman who spoke to Reuters, two brothers-age 27 & 28-whose last name is Mak approached the director during filming. The younger brother demanded payment of HK$100,000 ($12,900). While he and Bay were talking, the older brother walked up to Bay and assaulted him. The older brother then attacked three police officers who tried to intervene.
Both brothers were arrested and the younger one was arrested on suspicion of blackmail and assault, while the elder Mak was also arrested on suspicion of assault, the spokeswoman said. A third man with the surname of Chan was also arrested. All three men are still in custody and the police are investigating.
Bay received injuries to the right side of his face but declined to seek treatment. The spokeswoman did not believe that his injuries were serious. Filming continued after the dispute.
The police officers were also treated in hospital for minor injuries, while the younger Mak stated that he didn’t feel well and requested to be taken for treatment.
Bay has yet to comment on the attack and neither did the film crew and others working on the set commented on the incident when Reuters visited the scene afterwards. As to why the money was requested it is unknown for now. This isn’t the first incident to occur while filming the alien robot movie. During the filming of Transformers 3, extra Gabriella Cedillo, 26, was hit by a cable that smashed through her car during production of the film and later received an 18.5 million settlement for her injuries.
Hopefully there won’t be anymore incidents on the Transformers set.
Update:
In a statement, Paramount explained what really happened:
“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.”
