The creators of “F9,” the ninth chapter in the acclaimed “Fast & Furious” series, are facing a substantial fine of over $1 million in a U.K. court following an incident where a stunt performer endured “life-altering” injuries on set.
FF9 Pictures Limited, a subsidiary under Universal Pictures, was penalized after admitting guilt for violating the U.K.’s Health and Safety at Work Act at Luton Magistrates Court near London last week.
Joe Watts, an experienced stunt performer credited for his work in projects such as “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu,” suffered severe injuries in 2019 during a stunt mishap that propelled him 25 feet onto a solid concrete surface.
The repercussions were substantial, including a fractured skull and traumatic brain injury, resulting in a lasting impact on his capabilities. An inquiry revealed that the line on his stunt vest had become detached.
The U.K.’s Health and Safety Executive, responsible for the prosecution, underscored that FF9 Pictures failed to consider the potential for a “rope snap or link failure” in the initial risk assessment. Other lapses included the neglect of a mandatory inspection of Watts’ harness within the required six-month timeframe and the omission to extend crash matting after altering the sequence of the stunt.
HSE inspector Roxanne Barker commented, “Mr. Watts’ injuries were life-changing, and he could have easily been killed. In stunt work, it is not about preventing a fall but minimizing the risk of an injury.”
District Judge Talwinder Buttar, presiding over the case, imposed a hefty fine of £800,000 ($1 million) on the company, emphasizing that Watts was “fortunate to be alive” after the incident at Warner Brothers Studios in Leavesden. Additionally, FF9 was instructed to cover costs amounting to $18,600.
Watts is pursuing a $1.2 million personal injury lawsuit against the company, asserting that he won’t be able to resume his pre-accident role as a stuntman and, if he can work, will face a permanent handicap in the job market.
