Michael Bay is celebrated for his extravagant action sequences and his audience-focused approach to thrilling blockbuster films, but in 2014, he opted to introduce a swashbuckling television series to his repertoire. Though we are accustomed to enjoying action films like Sylvester Stallone’s legendary franchise available on Netflix, delving into a Bay-produced series brings an additional thrill. Starz’s somewhat unexpected hit “Black Sails” was initially envisioned as a sort of prequel to (or at least a series influenced by) the iconic novel “Treasure Island.” However, with a high-profile, dedicated executive producer like Bay steering the ship, it has garnered a substantial fan following. This demonstrates that some of the most unexpected projects can turn out to be successful – much like one of James Cameron’s greatest successes.
“Black Sails” chronicles the journey of an emerging crew led by Captain Flint during the height of piracy in the 18th century. Set on New Providence Island, the series boasts rugged action, extraordinarily high production values, and timeless, treasure-centric narratives. While Michael Bay is outspoken about his influence in Hollywood, he held such lofty ambitions for the budget and quality of “Black Sails” that he himself questioned if it would become a reality.
How Michael Bay proved to be the ideal captain for Black Sails
Michael Bay might be recognized for his astronomical film budgets, directing movies and franchises like “Transformers” and “Bad Boys,” as well as action staples such as “The Rock” and “Armageddon,” but his foray into television did not imply he intended to scale back his vision for the smaller screen. In a conversation with Variety when “Black Sails” was just debuting, he mentioned that prior to Starz giving it the green light, he feared the budget would be too steep for it to get approved.
Bay’s involvement wasn’t necessarily as a day-to-day director as seen in many of his films, but he played a crucial role in staffing the project and shaping the pre-production phase. His influence is evident in the series, particularly in some of its most celebrated battle scenes, such as the Royal Navy confrontation in the Season 3 finale or Captain Flint’s rescue skirmish in Season 2. Like many of his other productions, the grandeur prompts one to consider the cost of the damage from Michael Bay’s films and series in real life.
What’s intriguing about a show with the ambition and scale of “Black Sails” is how much it appears to have flown under the radar. While it doesn’t capture the massive audience of other blockbuster hits like “Game of Thrones” or “Stranger Things,” “Black Sails” holds strong with a Rotten Tomatoes rating above 80 and a passionate fan community. Although the series officially concluded in 2017 with no intentions for continuation, its four fantastic seasons are currently available for streaming on Starz.