Michael Bay Blasts ‘Reckless’ and ‘False’ Story Accusing Him of Killing a Pigeon on Movie Set in Italy (EXCLUSIVE)
Michael Bay is fighting back against a widely-seen report that said he was charged in Italy for killing a pigeon during production on the 2019 Netflix film, “6 Underground.”
The filmmaker called the report “false, reckless and defamatory,” and says he was never charged with killing an animal.
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A legal letter obtained by Variety, Bay’s attorney is demanding a retraction or correction from TheWrap, after the Hollywood trade publication published a report this past week Concerning the incident with the pigeon.
The filmmaker’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, says TheWrap’s story states that Bay has been accused or “charged” with “killing a pigeon” in connection with the film he directed. “Those statements are simply wrong; they are also harmful,” Rosengart writes.
TheWrap reported that the filmmaker was being held in Italy for the murder of a pigeon while filming in Rome. This despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter with Italian authorities. According to the report, an insider from production claimed that a dolly had killed a homing bird during a take. Bay was then held responsible because he was the director. It is illegal in Italy to harm, kill, or capture wild birds.
Bay told TheWrap that he would not get into the specifics since the matter is an ongoing court case, but said he declined the option to settle for a small fine with Italian authorities, stating, “I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal.”
Bay strongly denied these claims. “I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist,” Bay had previously said in a statement to TheWrap. “No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production I’ve worked on in the past 30 years.”
Now, in a legal letter, Bay’s attorney writes that the filmmaker was “never accused, much less ‘charged,’ with ‘killing’ an animal.” Rosengart writes that ahead of publishing the story, TheWrap was made aware of “video evidence rebutting these allegations and demonstrating that at no time was any animal harmed, let alone ‘killed.’”
TheWrap couldn’t be reached for comment because a phone number for its media inquiries had a full mailbox that wasn’t currently accepting messages.
Bay’s attorney says the only “charge” in Italy “concerns whether, in his capacity as the film’s director, Mr. Bay failed to properly supervise crew members (whom he did not even have the ability to hire) responsible for handling the animals on set.” Bay’s attorney says that charge is being “vigorously defended.”
Read the legal letter sent from Michael Bay’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, here:
Michael Bay’s litigation counsel, I write about your and the Wrap’s false, reckless, and defamatory headline and story stating that Michael Bay had been accused or “charged” with “killing a pigeon” in connection with a film he directed. These statements are not only wrong, but they are also dangerous.
As you know, Mr. Bay was never accused, much less “charged,” with “killing” an animal. Indeed, prior to publication, you were placed on notice of the existence of video evidence rebutting these allegations and demonstrating that at no time was any animal harmed, let alone “killed.” Further, as you also know (but failed to publish), the only “charge” at issue in Italy concerns whether, in his capacity as the film’s director, Mr. Bay failed to properly supervise crew members (whom he did not even have the ability to hire) responsible for handling the animals on set. That charge is being vigorously defended — and indeed, Mr. Bay feels so strongly that, to his credit, he refused to settle the case even for the nominal fine that was proposed by authorities to resolve it.
Your story is all the more outrageous because you were told it explicitly. You already knew, that the headline was false because Mr. Bay did not “kill” an animal and he was charged with no such thing. Evidently, you also failed to properly investigate the matter by interviewing authorities or other people who could have given the facts. Instead, you proceeded with your story, with a false and misleading “clickbait” headline, demonstrating actual malice and reckless disregard of the truth.
Your story is especially harmful and malicious, because Michael Bay, contrary to its implications is an animal rights activist. He passionately loves animals as evidenced by his track record. As a result of your story, however, his name is now associated with “killing” or “murdering” an animal, connoting Intent. He is being unfairly attacked and maligned. Indeed, there are now numerous articles and countless social media images associating Mr. Bay with “killing” or “murder,” which have gone around the world.
Your story is extremely damaging to Mr. Bay both professionally and personally. He has spoken out about his love of animals and the desire to make a film to save African elephants. This has caused him extreme anxiety and has also tarnished his reputation for being a staunch supporter of animals, financially and otherwise. All of this exposes your vulnerability and Wrap to serious monetary damages. Ringler Associates Inc. v. Maryland Cas. Co., 80 Cal. App. 4th 1165, 1181 (2000); See also Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1, 19 (1990); White v. Fraternal order of police, 909 F.2d 512, 518 (D.C. Cir. 1990). Kapellas v. Kofman, 1 Ca1.3d 20, 33, 81 Cal.Rptr. 360 (1969) (defendant is liable “for what is insinuated as well as for what is stated explicitly”).
We demand that you immediately retract or correct your story, given the above facts and evidence.
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