- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
HONG KONG – Police are investigating a second reported extortion attempt at the Hong Kong film set of the latest Transformers movie, authorities say.
A government statement received overnight said a production company crewmember was setting up on the roof of a building in Kowloon on Tuesday when four men “intimidated her and asked for money.”
She called police, who arrested a 35-year-old man. He’s being held pending further inquiries. The three others are still wanted. The case has been classified as blackmail and a police anti-triad unit is investigating.
ANALYSIS: What Mark Wahlberg’s Hefty ‘Transformers’ Payday Means for His Future
Triads are Chinese organized crime gangs.
Police arrested two brothers last week after director Michael Bay was assaulted at another filming location. They allegedly demanded 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($13,000).
Transformers 4: Age of Extinction is set for release in June 2014. It’s partly set in Hong Kong, where filming involving stars including Mark Wahlberg has attracted attention.
Nonviolent attempts at extortion involving location filming have been an occasional problem for Hollywood over the years. They usually involve residents disrupting filming by making noise or other means in an effort to elicit a payoff. In recent years, studios have been more diligent with compensation to residents in neighborhoods where films are shot.
Related Stories
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day