Michael Bay is back, but this time, he’s swapping out giant robots and explosions for something just as thrilling: parkour! Best known for his high-energy action films like Bad Boys and the Transformers franchise, Bay is now venturing into the world of extreme sports with his latest project.
However, this isn’t your typical Michael Bay action flick. Instead, it’s a documentary that jumps deep into the world of parkour, focusing on the skill, dedication, and raw emotions of these athletes who have spent nearly two decades mastering their fantastic craft.
So, what’s this new film all about? Here are all the exciting details you need to know about the documentary film.
9. What is the name of Michael Bay’s new documentary film?
Michael Bay’s documentary is called We Are Storror, and it’s all about one of the most famous parkour teams in the world, Storror. Parkour isn’t just about jumping over obstacles or flipping off walls; it’s actually a mindset, a way of seeing and interacting with the world differently. The film aims to show that philosophy in a visually stunning and emotionally charged way.
Unlike Bay’s usual action-packed productions, this documentary focuses on real-life athletes, bringing their passion and struggles to the big screen. Expect heart-racing stunts, breathtaking visuals, and a story that goes beyond just the physical aspect of parkour.
8. The theme of Michael Bay’s documentary film We Are Storror
At its core, We Are Storror is about more than just parkour—it explores the question: Can we keep our playful spirit alive as we grow older? The documentary follows the seven-man UK-based Storror crew, who have been performing and documenting their parkour adventures for 18 years.
Now in their 30s, these athletes are beginning to feel the physical effects of years of these extreme stunts. The film captures their transition as they grapple with their bodies slowing down, forcing them to rethink how they approach the sport they love. If you’ve seen extreme sports documentaries like Free Solo or Fly, you can expect to get a similar mix of high-intensity action and deep emotional storytelling. It will definitely be a mixture of adrenaline, nostalgia, and self-reflection that will make this documentary truly unique.
7. Where will the film premiere?
The world will get its first look at We Are Storror at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in 2025. Known for showcasing innovative films and groundbreaking documentaries, SXSW is the perfect launchpad for this project.
With Bay’s name attached and the growing popularity of extreme sports documentaries today, the film is already generating significant buzz. The festival will not only introduce the documentary to critics and fans but also give it a platform for potential distributors. It will further increase the chances of a wider release. Audiences at SXSW who appreciate both action-packed storytelling and real-life sports journeys are in for a treat.
6. How was the film made?
One of the standout elements of We Are Storror is its unique blend of newly shot footage and archival clips spanning nearly two decades. Since Storror has been documenting its parkour adventures worldwide for years and years, the film pulls from its extensive library of footage to tell its full story.
This combination of fresh cinematic shots and raw, real-life clips makes the documentary feel both polished and authentic. This film blends fresh and archival footage of sweaty palms and heart-racing moments to capture the journey of a fearless group of rooftop-hopping brothers. Once unstoppable in their daring stunts, they now find themselves facing a new reality: age. As they enter their 30s, their bodies aren’t as quick to recover, and the reckless energy of youth starts giving way to reflection.
The documentary paints an exciting yet bittersweet picture of their evolution, but it also balances adrenaline-fueled action with the realization that even the wildest spirits eventually have to slow down at some point or the other. It allows viewers to witness the team’s evolution—showing their most daring feats, injuries, and personal struggles—giving the film a depth that goes beyond just impressive stunts.
5. Why couldn’t Michael Bay be directly involved while shooting the film?
Unlike Bay’s usual productions, where every explosion and car chase is carefully planned, We Are Storror features real-life stunts often performed in unauthorized locations. Since many of these daring jumps and climbs occur on rooftops and in high-risk urban settings, Bay couldn’t be directly involved in the filming process, which might have been too frustrating for the filmmaker. He said (via The Hollywood Reporter):
I could not shoot it. Do you understand? Because everything they’re doing is illegal. I had to license the footage. Literally, I could not be involved.
Bay further said:
I could not condone what they were doing. The legal hurdles were immense. My whole thing was to come up with overarching vision and go through their massive library to hone it down and try to get to who the characters were. They didn’t know how make an all-encompassing story about themselves.
To avoid legal complications, he had to step back, licensing the footage instead of directing the stunts on-site. However, even from a distance, his influence is evident—his signature fast-paced, cinematic storytelling style is woven throughout the film, making it as gripping as his blockbuster movies.
4. Michael Bay consulted with Free Solo’s director to film action safely
Understanding the risks involved in capturing extreme sports, Bay sought advice from Free Solo‘s co-director, Jimmy Chin. If you’re unfamiliar, Free Solo follows rock climber Alex Honnold’s death-defying ascent of El Capitan without ropes. So Chin knows a thing or two about filming high-stakes stunts safely. Bay said (via The Hollywood Reporter):
I talked to Jimmy Chin about the camera work, asking him, “How did you not have the drone bother? How did you make sure you didn’t push him an extra inch where he could have died?”
Bay wanted to ensure that the documentary didn’t pressure athletes into unnecessary risks just for the sake of an epic shot. By learning from Free Solo, We Are Storror has managed to capture parkour’s heart-stopping moments while respecting the well-being of the performers as well. The result? A film that balances jaw-dropping visuals with responsible filmmaking.
3. How many years did it take Michael Bay to make this documentary film?
Bringing We Are Storror to life was no small feat—it took five years to complete. The documentary’s journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Storror’s team approached Bay with the idea of creating a film about their experiences. Bay said (via The Hollywood Reporter):
This has taken five years to get to the screen. This goes back to when I saw a 60 Minutes of these wingsuit guys and said “Get them in my office.” I asked them, ‘Would you like to fly through Chicago in Transformers … 3?” Or 4? I think it was 4. I said, “Find the best parkour team in the world.” And we found Storror.
The process wasn’t easy. From sorting through years of footage to dealing with legal challenges and creating a compelling story the audience would love, the film took time to perfect. Bay wanted to ensure the final product wasn’t just a highlight reel of incredible stunts but a meaningful narrative that explored passion, resilience, and the reality of aging in extreme sports.
2. The film also shows the brotherhood and dedication of Storror
While We Are Storror delivers high-flying action, it’s ultimately a story about friendship, trust, and the sacrifices of chasing a passion. The seven members of Storror aren’t just teammates—they’re a family. Michael Bay has explained it in the interview with The Hollywood Reporter by saying:
Most people don’t know what parkour is. And I always look at things from an audience perspective — we have to show the characters. What I kept getting at was their brotherhood and the why — Why do they do this? That’s what people are going to want to know because they’re playing with mortality.
The documentary dives into the deep bonds that keep them going despite the risks and challenges they face. Rather than just focusing on what they do, the film asks an even more important question: Why do they do it? It is this emotional layer that sets We Are Storror apart from other extreme sports documentaries.
1. Can the documentary film be expected to have a cinematic theatrical release?
Even though We Are Storror is a documentary, Michael Bay believes that his latest documentary film deserves the full cinematic experience. With breathtaking visuals, high-stakes action, and heart-pounding sequences, this is a film best experienced on the big screen.
Bay has hinted that he wants the film to be released in IMAX or another large-format setting, ensuring that every jump, flip, and rooftop leap is felt in full intensity. Michael Bay said (via The Hollywood Reporter):
Whoever buys this, I think there has to be an Imax component or something. Storror has so many fans around the world. I know this will work on the big screen. It’s still a documentary, but we’re trying to make it like a movie.
Given the growing popularity of extreme sports documentaries like Free Solo and The Rescue, a theatrical release seems like the perfect fit for We Are Storror. Whether it lands in IMAX or a more traditional cinema, one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.
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