Did you think The Man in the High Castle was going to be the only Nazi scandal rocking Hollywood over the past year? Not anymore! Michael Bay’s forthcoming Transformers outing, The Last Knight, is drawing criticism from numerous veteran groups after it was revealed that Winston Churchill’s birthplace — Blenheim Palace — was covered in various Nazi iconography for the film. Britain’s The Sun published numerous photos from the set earlier this week, where large swastika flags were draped at the exterior of the palace for an evening shoot; actors were also dressed as storm troopers in SS uniforms. “I know it’s a film, but it’s symbolically disrespectful to Churchill,†Colonel Richard Kemp, ex-commander of British forces in Afghanistan, told the publication. “He will be turning in his grave.†The former British prime minister was born at Blenheim Palace in 1874, and is buried about a mile away at St. Martin’s Church.
Michael Bay was quick to respond and defend his decision to use the location in an interview with BBC News. “I would do nothing to disrespect veterans,†he said. “People have not been fortunate enough to read the script and they don’t know that Churchill in this movie is a big hero. Churchill would be smiling. When you see the movie you’ll understand.†The film — which is the fifth installment in the Transformers live-action franchise — is set for a June release.