According to the Chinese reports, a stuntman was killed Monday and six others injured in a fire while shooting an action scene in director John Woo‘s Chinese historical epic Red Cliff.
A small boat was set ablaze and collided with a larger boat as the filmmakers had intended, but the fire quickly raged out of control and engulfed both ships.
The person killed was a 23-year-old stuntman.
Too young!
It was the latest setback to Woo’s massive production, which marks his return to Chinese-language film after a stint in Hollywood (he directed Face Off and Mission Impossible 2). Production has suffered casting changes and set problems since it started filming in April last year.
The budget for Red Cliff was more than $80 million. Woo later said that figure was overstated, but didn’t provide a new number.
Red Cliff is about a well-known battle in feudal-era China. Production is partly backed by the state-run China Film Group.
The Chinese government views the flick as an important showcase of Chinese history and wants it released before the Beijing Olympics.
The Olympics start on Aug. 8.
No pressure, John! You have 2 months to wrap it all up!
No pressure at all!
You’re totes gonna be able to edit it in time if you’re STILL filming!
R.I.P. to the dead stuntman.
[Image via WENN.]