Michael Bay’s Documentary: The Shocking Reason He Couldn’t Be on Set!

by

Michael Bay’s latest documentary delves into a topic that is against the law, making it impossible for him to be present during its filming due to the law-bending aspects of the production.

Many recognize Bay for crafting some epic action films that have left an indelible mark in cinema history. His signature touches often include explosions, aerial shots from helicopters, and grandiose set pieces. However, his latest project, We Are Storror, veers off this familiar path entirely.

This documentary chronicles a team of seven parkour athletes, who’ve self-documented their journey for the past 18 years. Directed by Bay, it showcases intimate, handheld footage capturing the thrilling parkour feats executed by the group.

In a unique twist, the director chose not to participate in the on-site filming of the sports documentary, primarily due to a single significant factor.

Michael Bay couldn’t be “involved” in We Are Storror shoot

As a gamer, I’ve made it clear myself why I won’t be part of this production. The reason is simple: the stuff we’re doing isn’t exactly above-board when it comes to legality.

Parkour itself is not unlawful, but it may lead to violating laws if it involves using private property as a playground. Consequently, Bay took great care throughout the extensive five-year filming process to ensure they were complying with all regulations.

Bay explained to The Hollywood Reporter, “I couldn’t pull the trigger on that.” Essentially, he meant that because their actions were all illegal, he couldn’t participate.

After that, he proceeded to detail the process by which he obtained the rights for the footage and subsequently put it all together independently, to produce the movie.

In order to use the footage legally, I was unable to participate. Essentially, I couldn’t be part of it. During a conversation with Jimmy Chin, the co-director of Free Solo, I inquired about the camera work, particularly asking him how they managed not to disturb Alex Honnold with the drone, and how they avoided pushing him into a precarious position where he might have fallen to his death.

When directly questioned about being present during filming, Bay stated, “No, I didn’t approve of their actions. The obstacles were too great legally. That’s why the process took five years.

My goal was to create a comprehensive vision by delving into their extensive collection to refine it, aiming to uncover the essence of the characters. They seemed unsure about crafting a complete narrative that encapsulated who they truly were.

We Are Storror premiered at SXSW on March 8, 2025.

Read More

2025-03-08 16:21