Fast And Furious Producers Admit Fault After Stunt Performer Was Left With Life-Changing Injuries

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After a stunt performer suffered serious injuries, the Fast and Furious producers admitted fault.

According to Variety, Joe Watts, an accomplished stunt performer who has worked on movies including Solo: A Star Wars Story and Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, suffered catastrophic injuries while filming F9: The Fast Saga.

In place of the franchise's principal actor Vin Diesel, Watts was practicing a fight scene at Leavesden Studios in 2019.

Credit: Universal Pictures

However, things took a nasty turn when a safety wire failed, sending him flying over a balcony and crashing to the ground from a height of nearly 20 feet.

The stuntman had a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, psychological injury, and shoulder injuries as a result.

After the accident, he spent five days in a coma.

According to Watts' attorneys, a 'series of cognitive and physical difficulties' have fundamentally altered his life.

Watts sued FF9 Pictures Limited, a UK division of Universal Pictures, last year in the UK High Court with claims totaling more than $1.2 million (£939,98).

Additionally, Watts' attorneys stated in the lawsuit that he would be unable to resume his profession as a stunt performer, adding: “If he is able to work, he will suffer a permanent handicap on the labor market.”

FF9 Pictures Limited has admitted responsibility for the incident since he filed his lawsuit.

“It is admitted that the sole cause of the accident was the negligence of [FF9 Pictures Limited] its servants or agents or those for whom it is vicariously liable,” a defense filing made by the company said, as per the outlet

The company also said it will make "no further admissions" at this time.

Watts told the publication that he was happy that the company eventually acknowledged its error.

“It’s been almost four years since the accident, and during that time I’ve worked incredibly hard on my recovery. I know I’ll never get back to performing, which still upsets me, but I’m determined to get my life back on track as best I can,” he said.

“I’m therefore grateful that FF9 Limited has admitted liability and I now call on the film industry to make their sets safer for those working on it. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone.”

The complex choreography and risky moves involved in stunt work necessitate careful planning and the application of safety precautions. Although accidents can still happen despite measures, it is essential for production firms to put their cast and crew members' health and safety first.

The Fast and Furious producers' acknowledgment of responsibility is a start toward taking responsibility and a recognition of the profound effects the disaster had on Joe Watts' life. It is anticipated that this event will force the film industry to review and improve safety protocols in order to make sure that proper safeguards are in place to protect the people engaged in creating cinematic spectacles.