Director and Producer Michael Bay was attacked in Hong Kong while shooting the latest installment to his Transformers series, during the film's first day of production in the province. And, the assailants' weapon of choice? An air conditioner unit.

Paramount released a statement alleging that a man under the influence of narcotics or intoxicated approached the famous director "wielding an air conditioner unit as a weapon." Bay was able to duck, and wrestle the air conditioner away from him, before police assisted.

The attacker was accompanied by his brother (both with the surname Mak) and one other man. Moments before, the eldest brother, who owns a nearby store, demanded 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (or about $13,000 U.S.) for unspecified reasons. Bay refused to pay, so the man proceeded to attempt to attack him.

The three men were quickly subdued by the company's security and apprehended by police. Hong Kong police said that the men now face charges for blackmail, assault and assaulting police officers.

Some sources, including Hong Kong police, say three officers were hurt and that Bay suffered minor injuries to his face, but Paramount strongly denied this claim in a statement that they released following the incident.

"Contrary to several erroneous news reports made today, Bay did not get hurt in a fight on set," Paramount stated. "No one on the cast or crew was injured and the production immediately resumed filming without further incident."

"Transformers 4: Age of Extinction," starring Mark Wahlberg, is partly set in Hong Kong and will be released in June of next year.