Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga – Stuntman Injured and Production Company Fined

FF9 Pictures, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures responsible for shooting Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga, has been fined £800,000 (~$1 million) after a stuntman broke his skull and suffered brain damage during filming.

The Incident

The incident occurred at Warner Brothers’ studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, in July 2019. Joe Watts, a stuntman, was filming a staged fight scene on a balcony. During a rehearsal, Watts was thrown over another performer’s right shoulder and kept safe by a safety line on his vest. However, the stunt changed during filming, and Watts was thrown over the other individual’s left shoulder. The safety line detached, and he fell 25 feet (8 meters) over the balcony, landing head-first on the concrete.

Fine and Safety Failings

A Judge at Luton Magistrates Court revealed that the wire was not checked between takes and criticized the failure to adjust the crash mats for filming. He stated that Watts was “fortunate to be alive” after the incident. The Health and Safety Executive brought the prosecution against FF9 Pictures, highlighting their failure to extend the necessary crash matting and their lack of a system for double-checking the safety equipment.

Admission of Fault

FF9 Pictures admitted to health and safety failings in court. Prior to the accident, Watts had worked on various films and TV shows, including Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Johnny English Strikes Again, and Game of Thrones.

Life-Changing Injuries

HSE inspector Roxanne Barker emphasized that “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.”

Watch: The Next Fast And Furious Is Coming To Theaters On April 4, 2025

Video: F9 – Official Trailer [HD]