Michael Bay Apologizes for Film’s Plane Crash Scene, Will Cut It

Michael Bay has apologized for a scene in one of his production company’s upcoming films. 

Families of two victims of a real-life 1994 Air Force crash recently expressed dismay to Paramount about a clip from the trailer for the studio’s forthcoming time-travel thriller Project Almanac, according to the Air Force Times.

The scene shows characters watching footage of a plane crash that the loved ones of Col. Robert Wolff and Lt. Col. Mark McGeehan believe to be footage of the actual B-52 crash that killed the two men.

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The Times reports that Paramount told the victims’ families Tuesday that the clip is of a 2009 crash that happened in Tokyo, not the 1994 wreck. 

On Wednesday, Project Almanac producer Bay said he didn’t realize that the film’s first-time director, Dean Israelite, had used actual footage of a crash instead of CG effects. Bay added that he has asked Paramount to cut the scene immediately. 

“I let film directors make their movies at Platinum Dunes [Bay’s production company] and give them tremendous responsibilities,” Bay said in a statement released to the Times. “Well, unfortunately a very bad choice was made to use a real crash instead of creating a VFX [visual effects] shot, without realizing the impact it could have on the families.”

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“I want to also extend my deepest apology to the families, and also to the U.S. Air Force,” Bay said.

In a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter, a Paramount rep said that the studio is “in the process of removing the footage from the film and promotional materials.” The film’s Jan. 30 theatrical release date will not be affected.

The trailer can be seen below.

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@pgmedia.org
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski