There is perhaps no more maligned director on the Internet right now than Michael Bay. The filmmaker behind the "Transformers" movies is no stranger to the ire of online fans, but it does not seem to be stopping Bay anytime soon.
"They love to hate, and I don't care; let them hate," says Bay while sitting down with MTV News in Hong Kong. Bay seems to have Teflon skin when it comes to the fans who come down on him and the films he produces.
Not only is Bay in charge of the "Transformers" franchise, but later this summer "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" will hit screens, which he helped produce. When the first images of the turtles hit the Internet earlier this year, fan message boards lit up with fans vowing not to see any more films produced by Michael Bay. The look of the turtles started making fans yearn for 1990's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," but Bay does not shy away from the anger of fanboys and girls. However, despite the fans that hate, Bay stands by his productions.
"I think it's good to get the dialogue going. It makes me think, and it keeps me on my toes, so it's good," the director told the website. While the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot is still a month off, Bay does not seem to be fazed by the uproar about his films. With "Transformers: Age of Extinction" scoring big over the weekend, it makes people think that the fans who dislike Bay are still going to see his movies.
"They're still going to see the movie! I think it's good to get a little tension. Very good." says Bay.
With over a $100 million dollar weekend in the USA alone, Bay seems to be laughing all the way to the bank. The online debates will always be there, and it is looking like so will Bay. As far as "TMNT" goes, Bay is optimistic about the reception it will receive in August.
"I'm just starting to get into that more. The turtles are great looking, so we'll see," reports Bay.
You have to hand it to the big-budget director; he knows how to take a hit and keep moving forward. If "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" does the kind of business that "Transformers" did, then Bay may have yet another franchise on his hands. Still, Bay does appear happy to welcome any fury unleashed by fans.
