Transformers Director Slams Paramount's HD DVD Call

Washington, D.C. (August 21, 2007) -- Michael Bay, who directed this summer's smash hit Transformers for Paramount, is a bit miffed at the studio's decision to back HD DVD in the high-def DVD format war.

In fact, he's so upset that he's vowing not to direct a sequel to Transformers, which has made more than $300 million at the box office.

At his web site, Shoot For the Edit, Bay has posted a blistering attack on Paramount's action. The studio yesterday announced that it will only release films in the HD DVD format rather than both HD DVD and its rival, Blu-ray.

Under the header: "Paramount Pisses Me Off!," Bay wrote: "I want people to see my movies in the best formats possible. For them to deny people who have Blu-ray sucks! They were progressive by having two formats. No Transformers 2 for me!"

Bay, who also directed Pearl Harbor and The Rock, posted the message this morning. There has been no comment yet from Paramount.

Paramount yesterday joined Universal as major studios that will only release titles in the HD DVD disc format. Four major studios -- Sony, Fox, Disney and MGM -- are backing Blu-ray exclusively. Warner Bros. is now the sole major studio that will release movies in both formats.

Update: Several hours today after Bay's original post at ShootForTheEdit.com, the site's "administrator" posted a message clarifying his remarks. Saying he had just talked to "Michael," the administrator wrote:

"He said he just wants people to know that we should be able to view his movies in the format of our choice. Period. Nothing more, nothing less."

Also see:
HDTV War: Michael 'Baying' at the Moon

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