Highlights
- Fast and Furious filmmakers were ordered to pay a hefty fine for a stunt gone wrong, leaving stuntman with life-altering brain damage.
- Lack of safety protocols and last-minute decisions led to the accident, with the production company admitting fault.
- While the fine is a step towards accountability, the studio's financial impact will likely be minimal, while the stuntman suffers lifelong consequences.
The Fast and Furious 9 filmmakers have been court-ordered to pay a hefty fine after high-profile stuntman Joe Watts sustained life-threatening, permanent injuries during a stunt gone wrong on the set of F9.
Fast and Furious 9, starring Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, was released in 2021, although filming began in 2019, helmed by Universal Pictures and director Justin Lin. Ninth in the Fast and Furious saga, F9 was Watts' first and only time working for the franchise. Watts' impressive resume includes past stunt performances for several Star Wars sequels, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Mission Impossible: Fallout.
However, Watts' skyrocketing career halted when he fell 25ft head-first onto the concrete during a stunt for F9 at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK. According to a report by the BBC, a judge stated that Watts was "fortunate to be alive" after the fall broke his skull. The horrific Fast and Furious 9 stunt accident left the stunt performer with life-altering brain damage. While Watts previously sued the company himself due to his inability to work as a stuntman ever again, the new fine was brought about by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agency. The production company FF9 Pictures (owned by Universal) admitted fault for Watts' injuries after the HSE stated that the filmmakers failed to "extend the crash matting needed to mitigate the consequences of an unintended fall." The judge sided with the HSE and ordered FF9 Pictures to pay a hefty €800,000 fee ($1 million) for their negligence.
On-set accidents, including John Wick star Keanu Reeves causing a real-life injury, are bound to happen occasionally. However, a lack of proper safety protocols is to blame in some cases. Watts' stunt involved him being thrown over the shoulder of another performer on a third-floor balcony. Watts and the crew rehearsed the stunt over the right shoulder, but the filmmakers made a last-second decision to switch to the left. The protective crash mats were then not moved to the correct side. In addition, the safety line attached to Watts' vest wasn't checked between takes and failed to engage, sending the stuntman crashing into the concrete. The HSE stated the production had "no system for double-checking that the link had been properly engaged and tightened," citing FF9's lack of protocols as grounds for liability.
It may be good for Hollywood to witness productions being held accountable for subpar safety practices. However, in an industry where time is money, it's unfortunately all too common that corners are cut, endangering the lives of professionals. Another catastrophic event in 2021 led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after weapons on the set of Rust were not properly checked. As a result, a loaded gun was fired by actor and producer Alec Baldwin, who was eventually charged in the case.
The bottom line is that FF9 is a subsidiary of the billion-dollar conglomerate Universal, and it's common practice for corporations to account for legal fees and settlements in their yearly budgeting. The fine is a small win for on-set safety, but Watts has to live with the consequences of this incident for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, the studio will likely not feel the damage much at all.
Fast and Furious 9 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: BBC
