 Michael Bay (qv) originally turned down directing the film,  considering it "a stupid toy movie." However, as a young man he  worked at Lucasfilm Ltd. and had a similar opinion about  _Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)_ (qv), which became a classic hit.  Realizing he was wrong about that film and perhaps about this one,  he signed on to direct the film. He also took the job because he  desired to make a family film, though he wanted to make it edgier  than usual.