Entertainmentmichael bayMoviestransformers

Michael Bay Reveals He's Worth $500 Million

So, who wants to make a "Transformers" movie?
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By 

Senior Entertainment Reporter, HuffPost

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Francois Durand via Getty Images

Michael Bay has blown up robots and shot up police squads on the big screen for 21 years, to the tune of almost $6 billion at the global box office. The guy is one of the most lucrative Hollywood directors of all time, up there with Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and other men (ugh) who are now loaded.

Maybe you haven't spent much time pondering what Bay's bank account looks like. He's not exactly an esteemed auteur (not that he cares how you see his movies), but because he can rake in the dough like almost no other, let's assume he's rich. How rich? Well, we just heard it from the director himself, who just signed on to helm the fifth installment of the behemoth "Transformers" franchise: Michael Bay is worth half a billion dollars. Also known as $500 million. Also known as ludicrous. 

For comparison's sake, Spielberg and his seven Best Director Oscar nominations are worth $3.6 billion, according to Forbes. And Cameron, whose "Avatar" is on the cusp of being unseated by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as the highest-grossing movie of all time, was worth a reported $650 million back in 2010. 

Here's what Bay told Rolling Stone when asked how much he's worth in a new profile centered on the forthcoming release of "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi":

"I'd say about half. Half a 'B.' But you save up your money and you give it away. That's what I'm going to do. I'll probably do a very large wildlife-protection fund -- something with Africa and big game."

When asked how much he'll donate, Bay responded, "All of it. Not yet. One day."

Rolling Stone also points out that Bay owns a $50 million Gulfstream G550 jet along with a Bentley, a Range Rover, an Escalade, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and two Camaros from the "Transformers" films. But don't worry -- he's selling his sports cars because now he takes Uber everywhere.

With all that decadence, Bay could be bae.

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Winter Movie Preview 2016
"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" (Jan. 15)(01 of22)
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Written by Chuck Hogan • Directed by Michael Bay

Starring John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreider, Max Martini and Freddie Stroma

What to expect: Hillary Clinton can finally take a nap because this Benghazi investigation doesn't involve her. "Armageddon" and "Transformers" honcho Michael Bay will bring Mitchell Zuckoff's 2014 book to the big screen, chronicling the militant attack on an American diplomatic compound in Libya. [Trailer] (credit:Paramount)
"Dirty Grandpa" (Jan. 22)(02 of22)
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Written by John Philips • Directed by Dan Mazer

Starring Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney and Julianne Hough

What to expect: In this May-December buddy comedy directed by one of the "Borat" co-writers, a crude former Army general tricks his uptight grandson into driving him cross-country for spring break, right before said grandson is set to get married. Robert De Niro pretending he's up for anything + Zac Efron shirtless in Florida = the ultimate January movie. [Trailer] (credit:Lionsgate)
"Hail, Caesar!" (Feb. 5)(03 of22)
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Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

Starring George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Jonah Hill and Frances McDormand

What to expect: Forget winter -- this is one of the most exciting movies to hit 2016, period. The Coen brothers' 1950s-set Hollywood romp goes behind the scenes of a tumultuous "Ben Hur"-type epic as an A-list star is kidnapped. More importantly, Channing Tatum dances! [Trailer] (credit:Universal)
"Deadpool" (Feb. 12)(04 of22)
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Written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese • Directed by Tim Miller

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein

What to expect: This movie has been gestating since 2000, with Ryan Reynolds attached since 2004. More than a decade later, a sequel is already in development. No matter how this take on healing guru Wade Wilson lives up to Marvel fans' expectations, it has to be better than Reynolds' "Green Lantern" misfire. [Trailer] (credit:Fox)
"Zoolander No. 2" (Feb. 12)(05 of22)
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Written by Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Nicholas Stoller and John Hamburg • Directed by Ben Stiller

Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penélope Cruz, Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen

What to expect: Come for Kristen Wiig looking unrecognizable as some sort of Zsa Zsa Gabor clone, stay for rumored cameos from Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Macaulay Culkin, Usher, Lenny Kravitz and Joe Jonas. We're out of breath just typing this. [Trailer] (credit:Paramount)
"How To Be Single" (Feb. 12)(06 of22)
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Written by Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein and Dana Fox • Directed by Christian Ditter

Starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Alison Brie, Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Lacy

What to expect: Drew Barrymore was at one point slated to direct this adaptation of Liz Tuccillo's debut novel, which follows a group of 30-something pals navigating romance -- and its absence -- in New York City. [Trailer] (credit:Warner Bros.)
"The Witch" (Feb. 19)(07 of22)
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Written and directed by Robert Eggers

Starring Anna Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie

What to expect: The most chilling horror film in years, "The Witch" was one of the buzziest titles to emerge from last year's Sundance. The story of a cast-off Puritan family living in 17th-century New England, it's a slow-burning inspection of terrors both real and imagined. [Trailer] (credit:A24)
"Rolling Papers" (Feb. 19)(08 of22)
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Directed by Mitch Dickman

What to expect: This documentary surveys the burgeoning world of cannabis journalism, chronicling the Denver Post's inaugural marijuana editor as he explores the new frontier for legalized weed. [Trailer] (credit:Alchemy)
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" (Feb. 26)(09 of22)
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Written by John Fusco • Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping

Starring Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Harry Shum Jr., Jason Scott Lee and JuJu Chan

What to expect: Fifteen years after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" raked in mega-dough and 10 Oscar nominations, the sequel will see a simultaneous release in theaters and on Netflix. Yuen Woo-Ping, who choreographed fight sequences for "The Matrix" and "Kill Bill," takes over for Ang Lee in the director's chair. [Trailer] (credit:Netflix)
"Knight of Cups" (March 4)(10 of22)
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Written and directed by Terrence Malick

Starring Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Wes Bentley and Teresa Palmer

What to expect: Based on the divided reviews at last year's Berlin Film Festival, expect Terrence Malick at his most abstract. The surreal romantic drama centers on a Los Angeles screenwriter (Christian Bale) wading through Hollywood's hedonism. We're hoping shades of "Mulholland Drive" will buoy "Knight of Cups" beyond the existential languor of Malick's previous film, "To the Wonder." [Trailer] (credit:Broad Green)
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" (March 4)(11 of22)
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Written by Robert Carlock • Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Starring Tina Fey, Billy Bob Thornton, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman and Christopher Abbott

What to expect: This movie's personnel are like a who's-who of comedy dignitaries: "30 Rock" maestro Robert Carlock wrote the script, "SNL" honcho Lorne Michael produced the film with Tina Fey, and the guys who directed "Crazy, Stupid, Love" and "I Love You Philip Morris" steered the ship. In front of the camera, Fey plays a war correspondent working in Afghanistan and Pakistan who sparks a romance with a fellow journalist (Martin Freeman). [Trailer] (credit:Paramount)
"The Lobster" (March 11)(12 of22)
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Written by Efthimis Filippou and Yorgos Lanthimos • Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Ben Whishaw, Léa Seydoux and Olivia Colman

What to expect: From the director of "Dogtooth" and "Alps" comes this Greek oddity about a near-future dystopia where anyone not coupled off is turned into an animal. We saw this dark comedy at last year's New York Film Festival, and you do not want to miss it. [Trailer] (credit:Alchemy)
"Hello, My Name Is Doris" (March 11)(13 of22)
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Written by Michael Showalter and Laura Terruso • Directed by Michael Showalter

Starring Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tyne Daly and Peter Gallagher

What to expect: Can you believe Sally Field hasn't toplined a movie since 2007, when "Two Weeks" made all of $50,000 at the box office? Here's to a better fate for "Hello, My Name Is Doris," for which Field won raves at last year's South by Southwest Film Festival. She plays a 60-something hoarder who tidies her life and works up the courage to attempt a relationship with a far younger co-worker. [Trailer] (credit:Roadside Attractions)
"Midnight Special" (March 18)(14 of22)
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Written and directed by Jeff Nichols

Starring Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher and Joel Edgerton

What to expect: Jeff Nichols cemented his reputation as a stylish visionary with "Take Shelter" and "Mud." Here, he shifts his lens to science fiction with the story of a father racing to protect his supernaturally gifted 8-year-old son from the government and a religious sect. [Trailer] (credit:Warner Bros.)
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" (March 25)(15 of22)
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Written by Nia Vardalos • Directed by Kirk Jones

Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin, Joey Fatone and John Stamos

What to expect: It's time to meet the new Portokalos generation, as Toula and Ian's teenage daughter now takes center stage in their lives. But riddle us this: Who resisted titling this movie "My Bigger, Fatter, Greeker Wedding"? [Trailer] (credit:Universal)
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (March 25)(16 of22)
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Written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer • Directed by Zack Snyder

Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Holly Hunter and Laurence Fishburne

What to expect: C'mon, by this point, you know what to expect: Sad Batman, Mad Batman and Under Pressure Ben Affleck. [Trailer] (credit:Warner Bros.)
"Miles Ahead" (April 1)(17 of22)
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Written by Steven Baigelman, Don Cheadle, Stephen J. Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson • Directed by Don Cheadle

Starring Don Cheadle, Ewan McGregor, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Keith Stanfield and Michael Stuhlbarg

What to expect: Don Cheadle makes his big-screen directorial debut with this biopic about jazz wunderkind Miles Davis. [No trailer available] (credit:Sony Classics)
"The Jungle Book" (April 15)(18 of22)
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Written by Justin Marks • Directed by Jon Favreau

Starring Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong'o, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken

What to expect: Not to be confused with Warner Bros.' "Jungle Book: Origins," which is slated for 2017, Disney's "The Jungle Book" is a live action-CGI hybrid that reboots the 1967 animated classic. We're still disappointed that Lupita Nyong'o hasn't found a starring role since winning an Oscar for "12 Years a Slave," but after seeing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," we'll gladly take her smooth voice talents as a substitute. [Trailer] (credit:Walt Disney Studios)
"Barbershop: The Next Cut" (April 15)(19 of22)
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Written by Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver • Directed by Malcolm D. Lee

Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson, Regina Hall, Eve, Common, Nicki Minaj and Sean Patrick Thomas

What to expect: The "Barbershop" series is back in business for the first time since 2005, and the ladies -- namely Nicki Minaj -- are taking over this male-dominated beauty kingdom. [Trailer] (credit:Warner Bros.)
"Everybody Wants Some" (April 15)(20 of22)
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Written and directed by Richard Linklater

Starring Blake Jenner, Ryan Guzman, Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Tyler Hoechlin and Wyatt Russell

What to expect: Richard Linklater has called this movie a "spiritual sequel" to both "Dazed and Confused" and "Boyhood," which means we need no further credentials to pique our interest. [Trailer] (credit:Paramount)
"Keanu" (April 22)(21 of22)
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Written by Jordan Peele and Alex Rubens • Directed by Peter Atencio

Starring Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Gabrielle Union, Method Man, Will Forte, Luis Guzmán and Nia Long

What to expect: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele's first collaboration since "Key & Peele" ended in September, "Keanu" is about a cat whom we can only presume is named after Mr. Reeves. The two pals pose as drug dealers in an attempt to retrieve their cherished stolen pet from a street gang. [No trailer available] (credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
"The Meddler" (April 22)(22 of22)
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Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria

Starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Jason Ritter, Michael McKean, Cecily Strong and Randall Park

What to expect: "The Meddler" won raves at last year's Toronto Film Festival, where the bittersweet comedy about a New York widow who follows her daughter to Los Angeles was called "sneakily effective," "inspired" and "heartfelt." [No trailer available] (credit:Sony Classics)

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