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Michael Bay has a unique style when it comes to filmmaking, quite evidently seen in hisTransformersfilms. The filmmaker made his feature directorial debut with the 1995 film,Bad Boys,starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. However, had things gone Michael Bay’s way, he would have made his debut a year prior toBad Boys.
Michael Bay went out of his way to try and get the 1994 film,Speed, tobecome the first feature film he directed. Unfortunately, it went to another director and the film became his directorial debut instead. BeforeSpeed,though, Steven Spielberg wanted Michael Bay to direct a feature film as well. Looks like he was quite in demand!
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Michael Bay Turned Down Steven Spielberg
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BeforeMichael Baycould make his directorial debut in 1995,Steven Spielberg’s production company wanted the filmmaker to helm a feature film. Whatever may be the reason, Bay ended up declining the offer. Perhaps the dismissal came from the fact that he was looking for a film likeSpeedto launch himself into Hollywood as a feature film director.
In an interview with Collider, Bay revealed that no matter what it takes, he wanted theKeanu ReevesandSandra Bullock-starrer under his name. However, with how unpredictable life is, things don’t always go our way and the same happened with Bay. He lost the job to cinematographerJan de Bont, who found his directorial debut inSpeed,instead of Bay.
“The first movie I was going for with a vengeance was Speed. I lost that movie. Okay? Jan de Bont did a great job.”
Clearly, Bay has no bad blood with de Bont over this. WhileSpeedwent on to receive critical acclaim with a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, Bay’s debutBad Boyscould only garner a low rating of 43%.
Also Read:“This is a bad idea”: Michael Bay Ate Humble Pie After Turning Down Mentor Steven Spielberg’s Idea That Spawned Into $5.2B Franchise With Mark Wahlberg
Michael Bay Was Offered One of Steven Spielberg’s Best Films
In 1998, Spielberg releasedSaving Private RyanstarringMatt DamonandTom Hankswhich is set in France during the period of World War II. Praising Spielberg for his film, critics calledSaving Private Ryanas a much darker and more pessimistic film than any of the filmmaker’s other works. With a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes,Saving Private Ryanis among Spielberg’s best works.
The film could have looked completely different as it was first offered to Bay. However, he does not feel any remorse about turning it down as he truly believes no one could have done it better than Spielberg himself. Bay told Collider,
“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.”
The film went on to receive several nominations, including Best Picture, at the 71stAcademy Awards out of which it won in the categories: Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing. However, it did take home a Golden Globe for Best Drama!
You can streamSpeedon AMC,Bad BoysonStarz,andSaving Private Ryanon Prime Video.
Source:Collider
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2256
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you’re able to find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’
