Death Threats Towards Michael Bay

Guess he'd best go End of Evangelion on 'em in the next movie: print the messages on some screens just before Unicron turns everyone to Tang...even though that would make a second sequal kinda' hard

We've heard this before, and I don't really know how to take it. First, I find it hard to believe that anyone could be that ignorant to do something like this. Second, if they did, they deserve to be banned from every convention and/or TF-related function for life (oh, and a good punch in the nose, couldn't hurt )!

Even if the movie bombs, this is uncalled for. It's not funny and it makes the fan community look like a bunch of jackasses. No wonder Bay didn't listen to the fans. True, he did a little, but we still may have gotten more!

These people are a stain. Granted, the TF fanbase has seen its share of irate opinions lately, but this is f***ing overboard. I may want to vomit looking at "Transformers Animated" Optimus, but I REALLY don't think it's something worth risking imprisonment and/or possible capital punishment over.

This is honestly pathetic. I understand if you don't like what he did; for a while, I was suspicious too. However, the reasonable course of action is to not watch the movie. You don't go and threaten the man's life! This is a stinking movie about a toy franchise! These idiots need to grow up.

what a bunch of losers.
Michael Bay did a fantastic job on the movie. People were cheering and applauding at the sneak previews and early screenings.
The changes he made were necessary and the designs of the robots kick as$.

Truth be told - if you really let these losers have their way and get what they want in a Transformers movie - the movie would probably suck.

Passionate or not, dedicated or not, nobody has the right to threaten a man's life and livelihood over something this trivial.

We should actually start a public apology thread. Bay may be a jerk some (if not all) of the time, but he's handled the fandom and the material decently well to the best of my knowledge, and as a group we could at least be gracious enough to apologize for the life-leeching losers that would stoop to such degrading behavior.

That's a pretty good idea, Asderiphel.

That is truly pathetic. Is this how we as a fanbase want to be seen? It's hard to believe that there those among us that are so immature as to volley death threats at someone who is genuinely trying to make a kick @$$ live action TF movie. If someone doesn't like the movie then don't go see it. Don't but the toys or merchandise. Don't support the movie. But to make death threats towards Bay? Whoever is making the death threats should be shot and is a waste of space!

Mr. Kemp wrote:That's a pretty good idea, Asderiphel.

I second that! (or is this thirding it?)

I reserve my death threats to those making the next animated series if they look like that horrid 'hero optimus' picture. Bay and co. have brought Transformers back into the mainstream moreso than anything else in the past 20 years since the last Transformers movie, and maybe more than that did. How can that be a bad thing?

You guys do realise you're condemning some of your own fellow Seibertronians right?

Yeah, that's right ... people posted such things about Bay right here in these forums.

Sorry but a public apology would serve what? I for one am not going to apologise for the comments of an idiot.

thats rediculous

Death threats are the work of a bunch of interent tough guys.

This is just stupid. Death threats won't get the man to change anything. I mean really, this is what will give TF's a bad reputation, if the fans are threatening his life. Really, it is stupid. This makes no sense at all & is quite embarassing for us. Whatever.

Yeah Death Threat are a bit harsh. And they didnt work so it was pointless. Protesting yeah ok. Bashing bay on forums, thats ok too but sending a death threat is frakin retarded. Bay did kinda mess up TF (God damn ugly ass heads and scrap pile megatron) but this movie has helped alot more than hurt it. Look at all the TF crap thats out now. remember how hard it was to find things that had TF stuff on it. And we once again got complex figures and objectformers. I dont think that the ones who sent the threats should be banded form TF relate events and sites because they were standing up for what they belive in but they do need to see that sending death threats is way out of line and uncalled for.

Thanks alot guys. Now the TF comunity is gonna be looked down upon. But then again I bet lucas may have gotten a few death threats too

Burn wrote:You guys do realise you're condemning some of your own fellow Seibertronians right?

Yeah, that's right ... people posted such things about Bay right here in these forums.

Sorry but a public apology would serve what? I for one am not going to apologise for the comments of an idiot.

Such a thread would only be for those who wish to particpate, so no rights are being condemed.

But, I will admit that you're right in way. I don't think it would do much good.

I've read some posts on the forums as well. Saying it here and sending it directly to Bay is another thing altogether. Though, this does bring up a good point. Where did these threats come from? Were they delivered to him directly or did he just read some crap in some of the forums? If it's the latter, then I think he's making a bigger deal than it really is (besides the fact that no one would enjoy reading bad comments about themselves).

I believe he received death threats because there are some over the top fans. People have received them for less. If they know who did it they should be banned from any convention and legal action should be looked into.

Probably more common in all fan bases than is usually published. We know Bob Skir got some threats for his work on Beast Machines, Bob Foreward and Larry DiTillo probably got a few as well. This is, sadly, not surprising.

I do certrainly object the choise of some of the designs and I will never be satisfied with the live movie, but death treads are way out of line.

First, they won't change the way the movie is going to be (specially when we're 12 days away from the release date and having already a plethora of products on the market already) and second, that can land the person(s) maiking the thread in really hot water (think of the scene in the original TF:TM where all the robots were thrown on that coldurum inside of unicron to be melted) with authorities.

And I admit I have criticized the choices Bay had made based on the designs the robots that but I would NEVER take things THAT far! I just don't need sany more heat on my life, specially from Big Brother's helpers.

OK now that's just a little uncalled for. I'm not that fond of the movie designs, but by no means has he or anyone wrecked my childhood over this. Seriously some people need to stop, take a deep breath and get a life. This is just one take on Transformers and there will be many more. If you don't like what's going on with Transformers at the moment just take a time out beacause there's always a next season of new stuff. This by no means is the end!

Augh, fans that actually stooped that low...

They really, REALLY need to sort out their priorities in life. Death threats over a cartoon? Just... wow. *shakes head in disappointment*

Back when I used to hang out at Don Murphy's board there was a real nutjob on there that made some death threats against him and some of the other members. These kooks are out there...

Gives the rest of us a bad name. If you really want to consider them part of "us", which I don't.

I issue death threats all the time. I give them to my mom, I yell them at the cat, I even muttered a death threat at the lady behind the counter today when she gave me the incorrect amount of change. Sounds stupid doesn't it. That's because a death threat is never a laughing issue. Sure, maybe between close friends or in a movie, it's funny. But when a complete stranger wants him and his family dead because he was making a movie people want to see, it is by and far the most psychotic and socially belittling thing someone could ever do.

I really hope Bay meets one of those wack jobs face to face and gets a good, long look at the person who threatend the safety of the family... and I hope he has the film rolling.

Burn wrote:You guys do realise you're condemning some of your own fellow Seibertronians right?

Yeah, that's right ... people posted such things about Bay right here in these forums.

Sorry but a public apology would serve what? I for one am not going to apologise for the comments of an idiot.

A comment made by a board member that says "Aww, man! Michael Bay sucks! I wish his face would melt off like those guys from the Rock!" is nothing more than a dark joke. That's not what I'm talking about.

If somebody, whether on this board or not, actually took the time out of their day to directly threaten Michael Bay, his family, his cast, or his crew, that person is not a 'fellow Seibertronian'. They are a societal reprobate and should be punished by the law. If the fandom passively 'overlooked' such threats and didn't draw the line, then the fandom can be held culpable for creating the culture that allows it. You can't defend the board members on one hand and then deflect personal responsibility with the other.

And no, it's not surprising, but it's still sad.

That is really just sad that people can stoop that low. The fact that there are people out there that cling to this stuff so tightly that they threaten someones life about it, is just awful. Life and death do not revolve around Transformers, or Star Wars, or anything like that. Find some joy in your life for God's sake. Fictional characters are not the end all be all of existence.

Was probably BlueBullit and Kittie Rose.

Down_Shift wrote:I issue death threats all the time. I give them to my mom, I yell them at the cat, I even muttered a death threat at the lady behind the counter today when she gave me the incorrect amount of change. Sounds stupid doesn't it. That's because a death threat is never a laughing issue. Sure, maybe between close friends or in a movie, it's funny. But when a complete stranger wants him and his family dead because he was making a movie people want to see, it is by and far the most psychotic and socially belittling thing someone could ever do.

I really hope Bay meets one of those wack jobs face to face and gets a good, long look at the person who threatend the safety of the family... and I hope he has the film rolling.

You said it - this is the saddest, most disheartening thing I've heard yet. Heaven help us all when a bloody movie about toys might get someone killed.

Asderiphel wrote:A comment made by a board member that says "Aww, man! Michael Bay sucks! I wish his face would melt off like those guys from the Rock!" is nothing more than a dark joke. That's not what I'm talking about.

While I agree with this. I think that a lot of us should take a little more time to think about what we are writing. In the last couple of days I have seen some very hastily written, and downright mean comments. I appreciate that you're angry, but please take a moment and intelligently lay out your thoughts. You tend to not look very intelligent when all that you post is something akin to, "this is the worst piece of $#@! that I have ever seen. Somebody has to pay for this!" It is definitely your right to talk about your displeasure, but please put some thought into it.

Okay, I'm off of my high horse now.

Guess that makes this movie officially the next Beast Machines now..we got yahoos doing stupid stuff like this. I wonder if the Star Wars fans did this over Jar Jar?

I agree with everyone here. These death threats give transformers a bad name, make us look like selfish ingrates who don't care, and these people are just looking for a scapegoat to blame for all their troubles.

To all fans who are sending death threats to Michael Bay, stop this right now! The only people you have to blame are yourselves, and that is that.

Dynamax wrote:Guess that makes this movie officially the next Beast Machines now..we got yahoos doing stupid stuff like this. I wonder if the Star Wars fans did this over Jar Jar?

A long long time ago...

I was that obsessed SW fanboy, and after it sank in that Jar Jar sucked and the whole movie right behind, I was pretty pissed off. It killed my fan enjoyment, and SW was a huge part of my life at the time. But I never got any angrier than thinking about writing a vitriolic complaint letter, which I never did. If I was in the room with Lucas now, I still whinge and complain. But I wouldn't take a baseball bat to his head.

Geekee1 wrote:While I agree with this. I think that a lot of us should take a little more time to think about what we are writing. In the last couple of days I have seen some very hastily written, and downright mean comments. I appreciate that you're angry, but please take a moment and intelligently lay out your thoughts. You tend to not look very intelligent when all that you post is something akin to, "this is the worst piece of $#@! that I have ever seen. Somebody has to pay for this!" It is definitely your right to talk about your displeasure, but please put some thought into it.

Agreed.

Death threats.. ruined childhoods... That's silly. That is totally silly. I don't think it ruined my childhood because I remember watching transformers and enjoying it.

I am not sure how something now could "ruin" a childhood. Maybe a second childhood...maybe.

Some folk are dorks..realyl dorks.

You don't have to look any further than the discussions about the new animated series. One promotional scan inspired 40-some pages saying basically "I don't like this". Everyone gets way to worked up.

Nice one Raymond T., I like how you put "fans" under quotation marks, I think that speaks volumes.

I'm mad at Bay too for alot of things, but wishing death on someone is way outta line. I'm sure the movie folks already have a bad enough opinion of fans without this being added to the lot.

TF fans sending threats now thats just not cool. Iam pretty sure no one here in the boards did that kind of thing *looks at every member*

there are things I don't like about the characters but I still can't wait to see it, if then I don't like it then thats that. Death threats? come on grow up. i saw FF2 rise of the surfer, and ever person in the theater, kids, parents, what ever all screamed out "Cool!" "Thats gonna kick ass!""I can't wait to see that!" so he must be doing something right.

Man, first off people, I love TFs, I have thousands of them, but its a hobby!

Granted a consuming hobby that borderlines an all consuming addiction, but still a hobby non-the-less.

Some of you guys realy need to prioritize, go outside and meet a girl who's not your mom.

Now this isn't going out to all of you, but you know who you are, and you should realy understand that there are REAL important things in REAL life. Transformers, Hobbits, and all those space shows are not REAL!!!!!!!!!

However, if you're gonna kill anyone, feel free to get the guy who greenlighted that new animated prime!

wrecked their childhood? what a bunch of crazies... if it was anyone that wrecked their childhood it was their aunt tom who touched them and was told not to tell...

Asderiphel wrote:

Dynamax wrote:Guess that makes this movie officially the next Beast Machines now..we got yahoos doing stupid stuff like this. I wonder if the Star Wars fans did this over Jar Jar?

A long long time ago...

I was that obsessed SW fanboy, and after it sank in that Jar Jar sucked and the whole movie right behind, I was pretty pissed off. It killed my fan enjoyment, and SW was a huge part of my life at the time. But I never got any angrier than thinking about writing a vitriolic complaint letter, which I never did. If I was in the room with Lucas now, I still whinge and complain. But I wouldn't take a baseball bat to his head.

Geekee1 wrote:While I agree with this. I think that a lot of us should take a little more time to think about what we are writing. In the last couple of days I have seen some very hastily written, and downright mean comments. I appreciate that you're angry, but please take a moment and intelligently lay out your thoughts. You tend to not look very intelligent when all that you post is something akin to, "this is the worst piece of $#@! that I have ever seen. Somebody has to pay for this!" It is definitely your right to talk about your displeasure, but please put some thought into it.

Agreed.

Thank you, I was a little apprehensive about posting that.

Liege Evilmus wrote:
However, if you're gonna kill anyone, feel free to get the guy who greenlighted that new animated prime!

So stop the death threats to one guy and send them to another. Yeah thats good. Come on man. That guy needs a good beat down not death. If he gets killed than whos going to fix the problem. Beat him so he knows you mean buisness. Then if he has any brain cells he'll scrap they crappy prime. I thought we already stated that death threats are to harsh and retarded.

WOW! DEATH THREATS?

ppl, time to put the kettle on the back burner! jeez, the guy doesnt need death threats!

-pause... breath... exhale... good.

now i understand, this movie is strange and all with the new looks, but dont you think that that's a little too much?

Geekee1 wrote:
Thank you, I was a little apprehensive about posting that.

No problem. I wish you could at least make people re-read their posts before they hit the submit button, and I didn't think you were aiming that comment in my direction anyway.

...or were you? (Vader's Imperial March music plays)

i personally do not think michael bay has ruined my childhood i think this transformers movie is gonna be awesome at least someone decided to make a live action transformers movie and this thing about death threats on michael bay is way beyond retarded

I can only echo what most if not everyone has said already. If you don't like a movie, just don't watch it. Threatening someone's life over a movie?? c'mon..that's ridiculous. What's even sadder is that I hear and read stories like this so much that afterawhile, you become numb or immune to it. The same thing happened with Hideo Kojima (creator of Metal Gear Solid). People issued death threats against him if he stepped down as the director for the videogame. I guess to sum it all up, some of us in this world are VERY sick, and those same people have their priorities wayyyyyyyyyyyy out of line.

optimusprime197532 wrote:i personally do not think michael bay has ruined my childhood i think this transformers movie is gonna be awesome at least someone decided to make a live action transformers movie and this thing about death threats on michael bay is way beyond retarded

QFT. And I don't understand how anybody can even write 'Michael Bay ruined my childhood' without laughing. C'mon. So, as an adult, or at the very least, literate teen, the only good memories of you childhood involve transformers? And the change in a future incarnation, finished product unseen (unless you're a lucky Aussie) taints everything? Every memory from your entire developmental life is ruined cause Prime has flames?

So, if the US ever decides to add a 51st state, does it ruin history?

What really disgusts me about the whole death threat/ zealot fandom thing is that this is the second confirmed time Transfans have issued death threats to people trying to do groundbreaking work on TF's.

Dunno. I may not like some things about the new movie, I may REALLY not like the new animated series if the art is anything like the recent ad, but that's because I'm a fan, and I talk shit sometimes.

The death threats, I think there's a percentage of any fanbase (or any group of people) who's going to say something really crazy from time to time. I doubt any of these basement-dwellers can survive long in the sunlight to actually follow through on their talk.

Actually, I'm surprised Bay hadn't gotten threats about Armageddon. That movie sucked worse than Battlefield Earth.

Spooner wrote:Sure, maybe between close friends or in a movie, it's funny. But when a complete stranger wants him and his family dead because he was making a movie people want to see, it is by and far the most psychotic and socially belittling thing someone could ever do.

Well put. This isn't like telling your roommate you're going to strangle him if he leaves the bathroom floor sopping wet one more time. Even if you're joking, Bay can't tell that from an anonymous letter. It's, for lack of a more emphatic way of putting it, in terrible taste.

Asderiphel wrote:What really disgusts me about the whole death threat/ zealot fandom thing is that this is the second confirmed time Transfans have issued death threats to people trying to do groundbreaking work on TF's.

I thought Beast Machines was crap on toast and I'd never threaten anyone who worked on it.* We may have different/strong feelings about certain incarnations of Transformers, but "I KILL U!!!42" is not the way to express them.

*Okay, it had a cool Megatron. I'll admit that.

Well, with so many crazy people in this world, what did he expect? Obviously, I don't know the guy personally and because of that I can't objectively say one way of another whether he's a nice guy or not. But I can say firmly that I don't like what he's done with the Transformers brand and that I loathe him for that. Still, that doesn't mean I want to kill the guy. That's nuts! However, (and there's always a however) there are legions of people who are so passionate about the Transformers franchise (and what they believe it is and is not), I am not at all surprised that some of them would express themselves so negatively toward Bay. I think this comes with the territory of being a celebrity.

Transformers does have one of the worst fan-bases