Producers of the “Fast & Furious” franchise have admitted liability in an accident that injured a stunt performer during the production of 2021′s “F9: The Fast Saga.”
According to Variety, stuntman Joe Watts was rehearsing a fight scene at U.K.’s Leavesden Studios in 2019 when he went over a balcony and dropped to a concrete floor more than 20 feet below. A safety wire allegedly malfunctioned, and Watts missed a safety mat on the floor.
Watts suffered multiple injuries in the accident, including shoulder damage, a fractured skull, and a traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma for five days, per Variety, and his lawyers said the “life-changing” accident left him with “a series of cognitive and physical issues.”
After the accident, Universal Pictures released a statement expressing relief that Watts was on the “road to recovery.”
“Joe is a professional in every sense of the word and his commitment to his craft is inspiring to all of us,” Universal said, per Yahoo Entertainment. “We know he’ll continue to inspire us throughout his recovery. Everyone in the ‘Fast’ family sends our heartfelt wishes and we will continue to support Joe and his family however we can.”
In 2022, Watts brought a legal claim for more than $1.2 million against FF9 Pictures Limited, a U.K-based Universal Pictures subsidiary. In recently-filed paperwork, the company accepted blame.
“It is admitted that the sole cause of the accident was the negligence of [FF9 Pictures Limited’s] servants or agents or those for whom it is vicariously liable,” the company said in a defense filing, per Variety. “Liability is therefore admitted in full and it is accordingly admitted that [Watts] is entitled to such damages as the court may assess or as the parties may agree.”
FF9 Pictures Limited made “no further admissions” regarding Watts’ injuries and condition, however, and stated that it would seek “expert evidence” in the matter of compensation.
Watts, whose other stuntman credits include “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” told Variety he’s been working “incredibly hard” on his recovery in the nearly four years since the fall.
“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 now call on the film industry to make their sets safer for those working on it.”