Filming of the sequel to the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator has been halted temporarily after several crew members were injured in a stunt accident on the set in Morocco. The production company, Paramount Pictures, issued a statement saying that the injuries sustained by the crew members were non-life threatening, and the injured individuals were all in stable condition and receiving treatment. No cast members were reported to have been injured.
The Sun newspaper reported earlier in the week that there had been an explosion on set which resulted in six people being taken to hospital. A source who witnessed the incident said it was scary and that everyone involved, from the runners to the star actors, had been shaken up by it.
A spokesperson for Paramount underlined the company’s strict health and safety procedures and said that they would take all necessary precautions before resuming production. The statement also thanked the on-site medical team for their quick and professional response.
The Gladiator sequel is being directed by Sir Ridley Scott, who directed the original film. It stars actors Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielson, among others, although no title has yet been released. The film is due to be released in November 2024.
The original Gladiator film starred Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who starts out as a war hero before being forced to become a gladiator. He is depicted as a tragic figure who is killed in the arena after defeating the Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The film won five Oscars, including best actor for Crowe, and earned $457m (£355m) at the box office. It is seen as having revived the historical epic drama genre, which had been out of fashion for decades.
While the temporary halt to filming is certainly an inconvenience for the crew and the production team, it is expected to have little impact on the film’s release date, given that the incident took place relatively early in the filming schedule. As with any high-risk activity, there is always a risk of accidents, but that risk is mitigated by the safety procedures put in place by the production company.
The incident serves as a reminder that even in a carefully controlled and highly professional environment, accidents can still happen. It also highlights the importance of having strict health and safety protocols in place on film sets, and the need for quick and decisive action when incidents occur. Ultimately, the priority must always be the safety and wellbeing of all those involved in the production, be they actors, crew members, or support staff.
