Some of the biggest directors in the world have movies so captivating that no fan ever questions their skills after watching only one or more of their projects. From Michael Bay to Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and even Christopher Nolan. The list of directors is an endless one and their masterpieces are even more. Many of them started small and got their big breaks after some time.
Bay too was someone who only started off as someone who worked on music videos. However, he knew that saying yes to the wrong project would only lead to his downfall. Selective movies, and selective scripts, he was not ready to take a chance in his debut film if it meant his future in Hollywood would be defined differently.
Michael Bay Said No To Steven Spielberg
Michael Bay could have entered the Hollywood industry much before he ever planned on doing so. Steven Spielberg has made a lot of wonderful movies but Saving Private Ryan has a special place in various people’s hearts. Bay was asked to be the director of this movie with Spielberg taking over the role of a producer.
“There are a couple movies where … I was given ‘Saving Private Ryan’ before Steven. Steven, when I saw it … That’s the greatest first scene of any movie I’ve ever seen. I would’ve never done a better job. Steven was perfect for that. I was given ‘Black Hawk Down.’ I’m like, this is way too violent, there’s no way anyone’s going to go to this movie. I am so glad Ridley Scott did that movie. So I’m glad they didn’t pick me, thank God, and I didn’t say yes.”
The director was also offered Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down. Although it was an appealing offer, he chose to reject it in the end because the movie was too violent for his taste. According to him, that movie was not in his forte and he was more than glad that they got someone who was not him.
Michael Bay Almost Had An Opportunity To Work With Keanu Reeves
Michael Bay admitted that his first movie was almost one with Keanu Reeves. Speed was Keanu Reeves’ big break and Bay had a keen interest in getting the movie as well. However, that did not come to be. Despite trying, Jan de Bont got his debut film instead of the Transformers director.
“The first movie I was going for with a vengeance was ‘Speed.’ I lost that movie. Okay? Jan de Bont did a great job.”
Ironically enough, Keanu Reeves also rejected a movie that had far too much violence for his taste. Platoon, a movie that eventually went to Willem Dafoe had too much violence and the actor just could not deal with it. Bay has since produced and directed a lot of movies and his fame is one that is highly respected.
Source: Collider
