Michael Bay is widely acclaimed for directing the Transformers franchise, which has established him among the most successful directors in Hollywood. But, before getting into the sci-fi action genre, his unique way of presenting visuals along with fast cutting technique has distinguished his work from others.
But little did fans know that he was quite in demand in the industry even before he made his feature directorial debut with 1995’s Bad Boys. Due to the extreme worth of his work, he was initially set to direct Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan but he refused the gig.
Michael Bay Was Formerly Set to Direct Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan
The 1998 project is one of the greatest films ever made which showed a groundbreaking narration, and horror of the anti-war film. But, before Steven Spielberg was hired to helm Saving Private Ryan, Michael Bay was set to direct the project.
He was offered the script of the renowned film but the director chose to leave the film stating that he was unable to completely process the material. In an interview with Collider, he touched on the topic of giving up on Tom Hanks’s film stating,
“There are a couple movies where … I was given ‘Saving Private Ryan’ before Steven.”
He praised Spielberg for creating an impeccable masterpiece who was highly impressed with the acclaimed first scene of the film.
“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.”
Spielberg’s version definitely made a huge impact in the entertainment world however it would have been quite difficult had Bay helmed the project. Given the grandiose explosions, his projects are quite renowned for, it would have drastically affected the overall aesthetic of the 1998 film. But, it was not the only film he let go of, as he mentioned about leaving Tom Hardy’s debut film, Black Hawk Down.
Michael Bay Rejected to Direct Black Hawk Down
Not just the epic-war film, the Pearl Harbor director also passed on the opportunity to direct another war film, Black Hawk Down. Based on the 1999 book of the same name, he shared that war violence was not his forte which is why he let the project go.
“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.”
Scott’s directorial eventually grossed $172 million worldwide winning two Academy Awards. Meanwhile, Bay touched the war genre slightly with his Pearl Harbour project which received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. It was even Oscar-nominated in the Worst Picture category.
Source: Collider
