The creators of the action-packed franchise, Fast & Furious, have faced a hefty penalty of £800,000 ($1 million) due to a distressing incident on set. During the filming of Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga at Warner Bros’ studios in Hertfordshire, UK, in July 2019, a stuntman named Joe Watts suffered a severe head injury after an eight-meter fall onto concrete.
According to the BBC, the judge ruled that Watts was “lucky to be alive” after it was revealed that his safety line detached during a stunt that had been rehearsed but was modified during filming. It was also brought to the court’s attention that the safety line was not inspected between takes. District Judge Talwinder Buttar, presiding at Luton Magistrates Court, criticized the decision to change the stunt at the last minute and highlighted the need to adjust the matting beneath.
The Health and Safety Executive, responsible for the prosecution, described Watts’ injuries as life-changing, emphasizing the importance of minimizing the risk of injury in stunt work rather than solely preventing falls.
FF9 Pictures, the production company behind Fast & Furious 9, acknowledged the shortcomings in terms of health and safety during their court appearance and agreed to pay the imposed fine.
Before the unfortunate incident, Joe Watts had made valuable contributions to various renowned productions such as Game of Thrones, Johnny English Strikes Again, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. His experience reflected the significant expertise required for such demanding roles.
The production budget for Fast & Furious 9, featuring a star-studded cast including Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, and Charlize Theron, ranged from $200 million to $225 million. Upon its release in 2021, the film achieved tremendous success, garnering a staggering $726.5 million at the global box office.
