Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage
Jason Stathamis thankful for the “unsung heroes” of action films.
TheHobbs & Shawactor, 51, spoke toExtraabout stuntman Joe Watts’ head injury on the set of the upcomingFast & Furious 9. Watts was reportedly injured on Monday after falling about 30 feet while on set in England and is now in an “induced coma,” according tomultiple outlets.
Statham, who is familiar with stunts in movies such asThe Transporterand most recently theFast & Furiousspinoff film,Hobbs & Shaw, said the accident “is awful.”
“It’s an unpredictable science,” he toldExtraof performing stunts in films. “You do every measure that you can eliminate these things from happening. It’s just a real shame that accidents happen. It’s awful for the families when someone gets really hurt.”
Statham continued, “On set, the stunt people are and have been for my whole career the best relationships I have and the most fun I have ever had on a set, always with the stunt guys.”
“I feel they are the unsung heroes in some ways,” he added. “They put themselves out there to make other people look good without anything back.”
Mike Marsland/WireImage
Watts’ injury reportedly occurred after he jumped from a balcony while attached to a safety wire, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. A source toldThe Sunthat Vin Diesel was present when the incident occurred, saying, “Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after. He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened.”
Watts has worked on films includingSolo: A Star Wars Story,Ready Player OneandMission: Impossible – Fallout.He was also a stunt performer in two episodes of the last season ofGame of Thrones.
“We had an injury on the set of Fast 9 today in Leavesden with one of our stuntmen,” a spokesperson from Universal, the studio behind the franchise, told PEOPLE. “We have halted production for the day to focus on this situation.”
The latest installment to the franchise will star Diesel andMichelle Rodriguez, both of whom are reprising their roles as Dom Toretto and Letty Ortiz.
Jordana Brewster is also set to return as Mia Toretto, Dom’s sister, as well asTyrese Gibsonin the role of Roman Pearce.John Cenawill also bejoining the franchise, although his role in the film is being kept under wraps.
Fast & Furious 9is slated for release May 2020.Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shawopens Aug. 2.
source: people.com
