During a break on the set of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen — described to us as a "remote air force base" at an "undisclosed location" — horror franchise reviver and blockbuster director extraordinaire Michael Bay hopped on the phone to give us the scoop on the Transformers sequel, his other projects in the works, and his reaction to that Dark Knight script circling the Internet with his name on it…
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What can you tell us about Transformers 2? Or, better yet, what will you tell us?
MICHAEL BAY: When we were writing the script, I said to the writers, "I hate sequels that try to make it to the third movie. Pretend like we’re never having a third movie, so let’s go for broke on the second one. I hate those cliffhangers! Let’s just make this movie stand on its own." I really feel this movie is not a forced sequel. I think the script is really good, and I think it’s got a lot of new stuff in it. There are a lot of rumors out there, but we’ve released a lot of fake stuff. We’ve done a really good job of keeping things secret.
Can you give us a hint of something that is true then?
[Laughs] No.
C’mon, anything?
There are some great, new robots that are really inventive.
You recently wrapped production on your update of Friday the 13th, and horror buffs out there are dying to know: what’s it going to be about?
It’s a reconception of the original. We’re introducing a whole group of new kids. What we always try to do is add a little bit of freshness to these movies that were really scary back then and update them for a new audience.
AFTER THE JUMP: Bay continues on Friday the 13th ("You’re just not going to believe the first 12 minutes!") and talks Ouija boards.
So are you following the same plot as the very first Friday the 13th?
It’s a little different. I don’t want to give it away because of the Internet crazies.
There’s been rumors that you’re going to include plots from all three Friday the 13ths into your remake. Is that true?
The first two, yeah.
Where did you film the Crystal Lake scenes?
In Austin, where we also shot Texas Chainsaw. Austin gives you a lot of looks.
Is there anything else you are willing to divulge about it?
I
haven’t seen the director’s cut because he’s still cutting, but I know
this one will really be scary; it’s also funny, as well. It’s a fun
college adventure that goes awry. It’s not a movie I would ever show my
mom! (Laughs) We don’t make these for our mothers; we make these for
the fans out there.
Speaking of those fans, what do you say to people who are worried that an update of Friday the 13th will ruin the original?
There
are always haters out there, and you can’t get rid of that. We try to
be faithful, and we’re fans ourselves. It’s like when I did Transformers —
I listened to the fans, you know, but you still have to make your own
movie by respecting what was done and trying to give it a whole new
twist.
How have you given it a new twist?
You’re just not going to believe the first 12 minutes! It’s a twist in itself.
And you’re actually working on a remake of Nightmare on Elm Street, too, right?
Don’t know yet. We haven’t made our deal, but it’s worth every penny.
What are you working on next? Ouija?
It’s something we’re playing with, yes. I’m just producing it. As far as being a director, I’m not sure what I’m doing next.
What will Ouija even be about?
We’re
just meeting with writers now. There’s a plot that I actually wrote the
outline for; we’re just trying to get the script right.
Finally, I just have to ask, did you happen to see the "Michael Bay’s Rejected The Dark Knight Script" floating around online?
[Laughs] That’s complete bulls—! I might’ve read one line of that.
Did you find it funny at all?
It’s just, where do people find all of this time?
So are you following the same plot as the very first Friday the 13th?
It’s a little different. I don’t want to give it away because of the Internet crazies.
There’s been rumors that you’re going to include plots from all three Friday the 13ths into your remake. Is that true?
The first two, yeah.
Where did you film the Crystal Lake scenes?
In Austin, where we also shot Texas Chainsaw. Austin gives you a lot of looks.
Is there anything else you are willing to divulge about it?
Ihaven’t seen the director’s cut because he’s still cutting, but I knowthis one will really be scary; it’s also funny, as well. It’s a funcollege adventure that goes awry. It’s not a movie I would ever show mymom! (Laughs) We don’t make these for our mothers; we make these forthe fans out there.
Speaking of those fans, what do you say to people who are worried that an update of Friday the 13th will ruin the original?
Thereare always haters out there, and you can’t get rid of that. We try tobe faithful, and we’re fans ourselves. It’s like when I did Transformers —I listened to the fans, you know, but you still have to make your ownmovie by respecting what was done and trying to give it a whole newtwist.
How have you given it a new twist?
You’re just not going to believe the first 12 minutes! It’s a twist in itself.
And you’re actually working on a remake of Nightmare on Elm Street, too, right?
Don’t know yet. We haven’t made our deal, but it’s worth every penny.
What are you working on next? Ouija?
It’s something we’re playing with, yes. I’m just producing it. As far as being a director, I’m not sure what I’m doing next.
What will Ouija even be about?
We’rejust meeting with writers now. There’s a plot that I actually wrote theoutline for; we’re just trying to get the script right.
Finally, I just have to ask, did you happen to see the "Michael Bay’s Rejected The Dark Knight Script" floating around online?
[Laughs] That’s complete bulls—! I might’ve read one line of that.
Did you find it funny at all?
It’s just, where do people find all of this time?
Comments (1-30) of 82 Add your comment
I hope people ate their words about Bay as a director. Now I’m not the biggest fan of his work (hated Pearl Harbor) But he has had his monents (love THE ISLAND and Bad Boys 2) But he was perfect to make Transformers. The only one I think could have made it better is MAYBe Spielberg himself. And though a certain amount of CGI was inevitable, the way it was seamlessly blended with live action effects and stunts was truly inspired. I asked for a live movie since I was 10 and in my opinion the man delivered. I can’t wait for T2-Revenge of the Fallen. See even the title makes me giddy.
Though Transformers was visually stunning, Bay doesn’t seem to care about story. There were so many holes and things that just didn’t make sense (don’t even get me started on John Turturro’s horrible performance…where was Bay to stop him?). If he cared about the story (of any movie, not just Transformers) as much as he does the special effects, I think he would be one of the best directors out there.
I get him. I think he’s a good guy. I never forget how happy he looked when I saw him at a screening for The Texas Chainsaw remake. Looks like he snuck into a screening with average moviegoers to get their reaction. I really hope the new Friday the 13th movie works and is good.
Michael if you are listening/reading this, and you are looking for your new “Nancy” for the “Nightmare” remake, you need to cast Leighton Meester from “Gossip Girl”. Also Christopher Meloni for Freddy Kreuger.
The comment about not trying to “make it to the Third movie” alone, makes me a fan. I am old enough to have seen the otherwise excellent “Empire Strikes Back” and “Back to the Future II” in the theatre, and the audience BOOed THE ENDINGS! You’ve just watched an otherwise amazing movie, and the audience stood up and started boo’ing! Glad we won;t have that with Transformers II.
Having seen him be cute yet pure evil in 3:10 To Yuma, my vote is for Ben Foster for Freddy Krueger. But you know, I kinda like that Chris Meloni idea too!
With all the problems out there right now such as the economy, oil prices, the war amoung other The only thing that I wish above all others is that Michael Bay would stop having any hand in any movie. Seriously, who is the executive(s) that keep giving this chimp a gun.
Whoa, Rudy. You hated Pearl Harbor, but loved The Island and Bad Boys 2. All three were big, loud, and technically beautiful, but the dialoge and stories were garbage. Transformers had moments of brilliance, but there were alot of groan-inducing scenes as well. I hope he takes what worked from the first movie and dump the extra crap.
Get a sense of humor Michael Bay. The rejected Dark Knight script was hilarious. I can’t stand when people can’t laugh at themselves.
Does he seriously not get that ‘Michael Bay’s Dark Knight script’ was a joke?
Ramo-
I think Bay has shown a willingness to laugh at himself (see the Verizon Fios “Awesome” commercial). Sure, he could’ve displayed a bit more humor about “The Dark Knight” thing, but you can’t expect the guy to be able to laugh EVERYTHING off. I know he (and Ratner) are the go-to punch bags as far as action directors, but some of that stuff HAS to insult them at least some of the time.
Bay had made the best movie for 2007,
please do it again for 2009!
When will everyone realize that MBay is just a whore and a product of an industry that just keeps getting worse. The hollywood strike is over! When will writers and directors stop making remakes!
When will everyone realize that MBay is just a whore and a product of an industry that just keeps getting worse. The hollywood strike is over! When will writers and directors stop making remakes!
To Ramo.. Your telling him to laugh about the “script”. He laughed! It says when they asked him! Lol.
Sheesh.
Argh…he is ruining the original movies. Why can’t he just come up with something original?
why do people always say he is ruining the old..i have a whole sleeve of horror movie ton i bet you have never heard of.it good and fun to go watch these films in theaters.the texas chainsaw beginning was really good and gory every one is just so cleshe about everything.You guys are just mad you never got off you ass to do anything with your life so you dog everyone else about remakes.
I can’t believe that he didn’t see the script as a joke. See this is why Michael Bay doesn’t make movies with good humor. I’ve never liked a Mbay film thus far.
This is just my opinion, but when i have friends over and i want to show them my 10 foot movie screen, hi-def projector and in 7.1 digital surround sound. I will put on a movie like Transformers or Bad Boys 2…Not some, award winning, movie such as Juno…The special effects and action scenes are what it all about for me. (But this is just my opinion, so don’t hate it)…PEACE!
His movies are “fun” movies, not freaking Oscar nominated acting movies people, good grief. Just sit back and enjoy!
Michael Bay is bad, but not as bad as Brett Ratner.
i agree with him about making a sequel that doesnt lead up to the third a la pirates of the carribean or matrx. i think thats all i agree with him about…
Sera Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST
“His movies are “fun” movies, not freaking Oscar nominated acting movies people, good grief. Just sit back and enjoy!”
people like you are whats wrong with movies today.
Sera Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST
“His movies are “fun” movies, not freaking Oscar nominated acting movies people, good grief. Just sit back and enjoy!”
people like you are whats wrong with movies today.
I wasn’t crazy for the first Transformers, but I’ll still go see part 2, I have a feeling it will be better.
To jayloveless:
What’s wrong with liking big, loud and (hopefully) entertaining action films over Oscar bait? To be honest, the whole debate that labels uninterested moviegoers towards ‘Oscar-worthy’ films are idiots plain annoys me. It just makes the action fanboys stereotype Oscar billed films as pretentious, and the serious film buffs typecast all action movies as mindless garbage. Can’t directors make films with endearing characters and wonderful plots that entertain as much as it’s smart and/or informative without worrying about the ‘Oscar worthiness’ stigma?
With that said, even I have to admit that story focus is secondary for Michael Bay’s movie making. I learned that lesson three times fold with Bad Boys 2, The Island and Transformers. The action’s always wonderful to watch (especially Transformers) but the trite storylines are instantly forgettable. I agree with Ed that Bay would be a much better director if he balanced the immersive action with an equally memorable story.
he’s obviously pissed off at the dark knight script, heehee.
it was freaking hilarious “like, the biggest f**ing missiles you’ll ever see” it was a good spoof, not an insulting one.
To Jon
so you actually think you can do better? stop talking s***
Mr. Bay is a human being, he has not yet discovered what he has talent for, everybody is talented but to discover one’s talent is true enrichment. Mr. Bay may believe he can make good movies, whether it is action or otherwise, but I guarentee you, give anyone a camera and one year with $200 million and anyone could do a better job on all Bay films. Mr. Bay you need to discover your actual talent, becuase it sure as hell isn’t film making, what you put on screen is no better than what I produce in the toilet bowl. Stop stealing peoples’ money
Just because a movie is labelled action, doesn’t excuse it from being stupid. Bay movies would be much less criticized is he would just lighten up on the stupid…even just a little…btw I just saw the Dark KNight, plenty of acton amongst other more important things like story and character development with none of the stupid…brilliant movie