10 Tragic Film Set Disasters

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into bringing our favorite movies to life, it is truly heartbreaking to reflect upon the tragic incidents that have occurred during the production of some iconic films. The stories of Joi ‘SJ’ Harris, Conway Wickliffe, Art Scholl, Bennie E. Dobbins, David Ritchie, and Sonja Davis serve as grim reminders of the risks that stunt performers take to entertain us.

During the filming of “Rust,” a western movie in New Mexico, there was a fatal accident involving Alec Baldwin when a prop gun accidentally discharged, killing the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and injuring the director, Joel Souza. At the time, Baldwin was both a co-producer and playing the lead role. As of now, no charges have been filed, but an extensive investigation is ongoing. This incident reminds us of the unfortunate death of Brandon Lee, who starred in “The Crow” (1994), during which he died from a slug that was dislodged and accidentally fired by a prop .44 Magnum revolver loaded with blanks into his abdomen.

These unfortunate incidents underscore the risks inherent in professions that involve creating illusions for art. Tiptoeing towards danger to achieve the ideal scene, it’s crucial to hire seasoned stunt and special effects experts to oversee and execute stunts. Regrettably, accidents do occur on set, with Rust unfortunately adding to the list of fatal movie productions. Although these tragedies can contribute to a film’s infamy, they should also prompt us to appreciate the extraordinary risks that stunt performers take for cinematic artistry.

These tragic occurrences serve as a stark reminder of the significant role these stunt performers play and leave one questioning why they don’t receive more recognition or appreciation beyond film dedications in memoriam. Their work is carefully crafted to blend seamlessly into the movie, yet they are well aware of the dangers associated with their profession. It appears that there isn’t enough acknowledgement for their hard work, respect for their contributions, or fair compensation when accidents occur. Although the Academy is considering introducing a stunts category for their annual awards, it remains uncertain whether this will come to fruition.

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

The movie “Twilight Zone” by Steven Spielberg is well-known for the unfortunate accident that occurred during production, resulting in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors. This incident was caused due to their employment being against regulations. The film, however, was a compilation of three short films directed by different individuals, presented as a full-length feature. During the filming of an aerial stunt sequence overseen by John Landis, a helicopter crash occurred due to high winds, explosives, and an excessively complex stunt setup, tragically striking Morrow and the two children.

Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story (2014)

Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)

In conclusion, the final installment of the popular and enduring Resident Evil film series, helmed by Paul W.S. Anderson and featuring Milla Jovovich, ended on a somber note due to a string of unfortunate events. Olivia Jackson, Jovovich’s skilled stunt double known for her work in Mad Max: Fury Road, lost her left arm following injuries sustained during a motorbike stunt, necessitating amputation. Tragically, the production was then struck by another calamity when crew member Ricardo Cornelius passed away after a fatal accident involving a Humvee during a botched car stunt. The vehicle slipped off a platform and pinned him to a wall, resulting in injuries that eventually led to his demise.

Dead Pool 2

Ryan Reynolds played the lead role in the movie “Deadpool,” a humorously aggressive action film. In this production, he portrayed the nearly invincible, masked superhero of the same name. Unfortunately, the eagerly awaited sequel was tainted by the tragic death of stunt performer Joi ‘SJ’ Harris. This incident occurred during an action scene near Shaw Tower in Vancouver, Canada, when she lost control of her motorcycle after hitting a curb and crashed into a plate glass window. Despite being an experienced rider, this was her first job, and unfortunately, she wasn’t wearing a helmet as her character, Domino, didn’t wear one in that specific scene.

xXx (2002)

In his prime, xXx was an action-packed movie for Vin Diesel that showcased him as an action hero with adrenaline pumping stunts. Regrettably, Conway Wickliffe, Diesel’s stunt double, passed away on set due to a severe head injury sustained during an accident while rehearsing a stunt. As the scene required, Wickliffe was hanging out of a Nissan 4×4 that was traveling alongside an old American police car. Unfortunately, the driver failed to execute a sharp turn at the end of the track, causing the vehicle to collide with a tree instead.

The Expendables 2 (2012)

The Expendables film series, reminiscent of ’80s action heroes, is renowned for its thrilling stunts and special effects, such as explosions and pyrotechnics. Notably, The Expendables 2 took this a step further, aiming for grander and more intense sequences by recruiting Con Air director Simon West to take over from Sly Stallone. Unfortunately, during filming, a stunt gone wrong led to the death of Kun Liu, aged 26, and the injury of Nuo Sun. This incident occurred when the stuntmen were too close to an explosion near a rubber boat on the Ognyanovo dam in Bulgaria.

Top Gun (1986)

The classic 1980s movie remains iconic in pop culture, but a fatal aerial stunt scene continues to cast a shadow over its production team. Skilled and seasoned stunt pilot, Art Scholl, was piloting a Pitts S-2 camera plane during the sequence when an unexpected spin caused him to lose control and crash into the Pacific Ocean off the California coastline; his body was never found. This tragic incident, witnessed by many, is remembered as a chilling and fateful moment, with Scholl’s last words being “I have a serious issue.

Red Heat (1988)

1980s action-comedy film titled “Red Heat” features Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Belushi as policemen from opposing sides of the Iron Curtain. Regrettably, stunt coordinator Bennie E. Dobbins, renowned for his work in movies like “TRON“, “The Running Man“, and “Commando“, experienced a heart attack due to complications from pneumonia.

Jumper (2008)

The movie titled “Jumper” is a sci-fi thriller that Doug Liman directed. It features Hayden Christensen and Jamie Bell as the main stars. Sadly, during the dismantling of an outdoor set in cold weather, David Ritchie, who had worked on X-Men, unfortunately lost his life at the age of 56 when debris from the exterior set fell, striking him and other workers below. Another worker was seriously injured as a result.

Vampire In Brooklyn (1995)

Wes Craven’s horror-comedy titled “Vampire in Brooklyn” features Eddie Murphy in a captivating role alongside Angela Bassett. The narrative revolves around a vampire who is determined to preserve his bloodline’s legacy. Although the movie itself isn’t particularly memorable, it is significant due to Sonja Davis, a stunt double known for her work in “Timecop” and “Strange Days,” tragically falling 42 feet to her death during filming.

2024-09-21 23:43