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Michael Bay on Blu-ray: "Told You So"
Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Michael Bay (all tags)
Never one to hold his tongue, Michael Bay is speaking out again on the high-def format war, reminding us that he backed Blu-ray long before the format's most recent wave of victories.
The outspoken 'Transformers' director's latest comments came earlier this week at an award ceremony held by the Visual Effects Society, where he presented the award for animated character in a motion picture.
"Blu-ray’s better, and I told everyone," said Bay. "I was very vocal about it. I knew HD [DVD] was not going to make it."
As longtime readers of this site will remember, Bay made headlines last August when he threatened to back out of 'Transformers 2' after it was announced that the film's distributor (Paramount/DreamWorks) would drop Blu-ray support in favor of HD DVD.
Although Bay recanted his remarks before 'Transformers' hit HD DVD, he ultimately returned to his pro-Blu-ray stance, stating that the Sony-backed format was "where my money is."
Taking a virtual victory lap Sunday night, Bay issued his first public statement on the format war following Warner's announcement that it would drop HD DVD support, saying: "Am I thrilled? It really wasn’t my fight, but remember what I said in the press? I was kind of saying HD [DVD]’s going to lose... No one believed me."
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Michael Bay Relishes Blu-ray's Victories [Home Media Magazine]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
- Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks" (Dec 05, 2007)
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray
Tue Oct 23, 2007 at 12:18 PM ETTags: Michael Bay (all tags)
He may be the man behind the best-selling HD DVD debut yet, but Michael Bay says he's still betting on Blu-ray.
As we've previously reported, the outspoken director made quite a stir back in September when he briefly posted a message to his blog saying that he was reconsidering doing a sequel to 'Transformers' after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his megahit film. Although he quickly recanted that blog post, it seems the director still isn't fully sold on HD DVD.
In new comments published in this morning's USA Today, Bay once again makes his own personal preference known.
"As a director, my critical eye is that Blu-ray is where my money is," explains Bay. Of the format war in general, he says "It's short-sighted and it has delayed consumers' moving to HD (home video)... Consumers are smart, and they are going to wait it out."
Bay's new comments come on the heels of yesterday's announcement that his 'Transformers' HD DVD had broken first-week sales records for any disc released on either format, selling over 190,000 units in its first seven days.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Bay says 'Transformers' DVD could have been better [USA Today]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!"
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD
- 'Transformers' HD DVD Smashes First-Week Sales Records
'Transformers' HD DVD Smashes First-Week Sales Records
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 05:27 PM ETTags: Disc Sales, Paramount, DreamWorks, Michael Bay (all tags)
Paramount says first-week sales numbers for its HD DVD release of 'Transformers' top those of any other high-def disc released on either next gen format to date.
According to a just-issued press release from Paramount, the HD DVD edition of 'Transformers' sold over 100,000 units in its first day of release, and went on to sell an additional 90,000 units over next six days, making it the fastest and best-selling week one release on either high definition format, as well as the best selling HD DVD ever.
The standard-def version of 'Transformers' also made news, moving over 8.3 million units in its first week, and 4.5 million copies on day one, a new record for the year 2007.
"The performance of the 'Transformers' DVD and HD DVD has demonstrated the phenomenal success of this global franchise," said Kelley Avery, president, Worldwide Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures. “We’re happy to be kicking off the fourth quarter with a title that clearly shows home entertainment releases are still an event that drives consumers into stores—which is a win for both content providers and retailers.”
Paramount's HD DVD release of 'Transformers' last week came less than two months after the studio abruptly announced it would drop support of the Blu-ray format, and would release its next-gen titles on HD DVD exclusively. The studio reportedly received $150 million in exchange for its exclusivity.
Thanks to Michael for the tip!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Transformers Becomes This Year’s Top-Selling DVD and the Best-Selling High Definition Title Day One and Week One for Either Format [Press Release]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- AP: Paramount/DreamWorks Drops Blu-ray; Studio to Support HD DVD Exclusively (Aug 20, 2007)
Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD
Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 09:16 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Paramount (all tags)
In a story that just won't die, 'Transformers' director Michael Bay now says he over-reacted when he posted a widely-reported angry message on his web site last night, condemning Paramount for dropping its support of Blu-ray.
After huddling with Paramount brass today (and apparently watching the '300' HD DVD -- "it rocks," says Bay), the 'Transformers' director says he understands where the studio is coming from, and that after hearing Paramount's rationale for choosing HD DVD over Blu-ray, "I like what I heard."
Bay now dismisses his earlier comments as an ill-informed late night post, written in haste following dinner with three owners of Blu-ray players. "I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker," said Bay.
The full text of Bay's new post follows below:
|
"Last night at dinner I was having dinner with three blu-ray owners, they were pissed about no Transformers Blu-ray and I drank the kool aid hook line and sinker. So at 1:30 in the morning I posted - nothing good ever comes out of early am posts mind you - I over reacted. I heard where Paramount is coming from and the future of HD and players that will be close to the $200 mark which is the magic number. I like what I heard. As a director, I'm all about people seeing films in the best quality possible, and I saw and heard firsthand people upset about a corporate decision. So today I saw 300 on HD, it rocks! So I think I might be back on to do Transformers 2!" |
For the record, this concludes High-Def Digest's wall-to-wall coverage of Michael Bay's format preferences...
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Michael Bay HD post [Shoot for the Edit -- Michael Bay's Official Site]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- 300 (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (UPDATED)
Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Paramount (all tags)
UPDATE: (8/21/07, 9:20PM ET) In a new post on his web site, Michael Bay has retracted the comments referred to in this news story, and has thrown his support behind Paramount's decision to back HD DVD exclusively.
Megabucks director Michael Bay, the man behind Paramount's summer blockbuster 'Transformers,' apparently isn't happy with the studio's new no-Blu-ray stance -- and he's making his beef public on the 'net.
Paramount's major shift to HD DVD has led Bay to lash out at the studio for whom he just directed one of the biggest hits of the year.
In a post on his personal web site, subtly titled "Paramount pisses me off!", Bay writes:
"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's site has grown in popularity in recent months thanks in part to the star director's unusually outspoken outbursts, although whether his latest threat holds firm remains to be seen.
In any case, one gets the impression that Bay won't be too available when it comes time for Paramount to start promoting that 'Transformers' HD DVD this Christmas...
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Paramount Pisses Me Off! [Shoot for the Edit -- Official Michael Bay Site]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Breaking: More Info in on Paramount's Move to HD DVD (Aug 20, 2007)
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