Of transforming Winston Churchill's birthplace into Hitler's headquarters for filming, the helmer says that he 'would do nothing to disrespect veterans' and 'Churchill in this movie is a big hero.'
- Sep 24, 2016
AceShowbiz - "Transformers: The Last Knight" will likely feature not only King Arthur and Merlin, but also Adolf Hitler. The Michael Bay-directed flick is currently filming in England, where veterans shared their outrage after Nazi flags were hung from Winston Churchill's birthplace at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
Paramount hasn't given any comment, but Bay addressed the controversy on Friday, September 23 while speaking to The BBC. "I would do nothing to disrespect veterans," he said. "People were not fortunate enough to read the script, and they don't know that Churchill in this movie is a big hero. Churchill would be smiling." The helmer noted, "When you see the movie you'll understand."
The Sun previously reported that Blenheim Palace was transformed into Hitler's headquarters for filming on Wednesday evening, September 21, complete with Swastikas draped over the mansion. According to the publication, actors dressed as storm troopers from the Fuhrer's feared SS strutted up the entrance steps.
Speaking to the publication, ex-commander of British forces in Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp said, "I know it's a film, but it's symbolically disrespectful to Churchill." He noted, "He will be turning in his grave." Churchill, who was United Kingdom's prime minister during World War II, is buried less than a mile away at St. Martin's Church, Bladon.
"Transformers: The Last Knight", which filming will also take place in Oxford's Radcliffe Square until 23:00 on Sunday, September 25, is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on June 23, 2017. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Laura Haddock, Isabela Moner, Stanley Tucci and Anthony Hopkins.
