EXCLUSIVE: A special effects assistant was injured during a stunt trial run on John Woo’s Silent Night in Mexico City, Deadline has learned.
No actors were on set nor were any cameras rolling when the stunt setup was being performed. Only the special effects team was present, sources on the ground in Mexico tell us.
Reportedly the stunt involved a car, on rails, crashing into a hydrant and flipping. No one was in the car, as it was being pushed by crew. However, we’re told the assistant missed his mark, resulting in him getting hit by the car and breaking his femur. The assistant’s shoulder also was dislocated but was relocated at the hospital. Local police were called to the scene.
We’re told the assistant went to the hospital, underwent surgery and is doing much better with plans to be released Thursday. He will be out for a number of weeks.
No production delays are expected on Silent Night, we understand and the stunt is expected to be performed at a later date, despite the accident. The matter has been referred to the production’s insurance company.
The Capstone-financed movie was written by Robert Lynn and doesn’t contain a word of dialogue, as Deadline first reported. In the movie, Joel Kinnaman plays a father who heads into the underworld to avenge his young son’s death.
Safety on independent film sets has been under extra scrutiny in the wake of the recent tragic accident on the Alec Baldwin western Rust.
Deadline reached out to financiers and producers. We’ll update you if any statements are made.
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