Producers of Deadpool 2 have been hit with a $300k fine for the on-set death of a stuntwoman back in August of 2017. Deadpool 2 was the sequel to Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, and it was helmed by director David Leitch. The followup proved to be another successful venture with the film earning just below the original's box office gross with over $734 million worldwide. In addition to a new director, the film also saw new faces with Josh Brolin playing Cable, and Zazie Beetz playing Domino. Unfortunately, despite its success, the production of Deadpool 2 was struck by the unfortunate death of stuntwoman Joi Harris, who was doubling for Beetz as Domino.
The incident Brolin described as a “freak accident” happened in August of 2017, and it saw Harris reportedly crash into a sidewalk curb and go through a glass window at Shaw Tower. The death led to production on Deadpool 2 shutting down for 48 hours as the likes of the Vancouver police and the WorkSafeBC conducted an investigation. Some of the notable details that came out during the summer of 2017 were that although Harris was a professional racer, this was her first film stunt, and she was a late addition to the team. Due to her late inclusion into the team, it was reported there was not enough time to have a helmet made for Harris to go under the Domino wig. Little under three years since the death, a punishment has now been handed down to the producers of the sequel.
According to Comicbook, WorkSafeBC fined “one of the production companies of Deadpool 2” TCF Vancouver Productions Ltd. for a total of $289, 562.63. The report noted that WorkSafeBC cited the companies “Failure to ensure the health and safety of all workers,” “Failure to ensure the health and safety of the stunt performer by failing to provide adequate supervision with respect to this work activity,” and “Instructing the stunt performer not to wear safety headgear while operating the motorcycle” as reasons for this fine.
Although this was an unfortunate accident, reports of the quick insertion of Harris and her not wearing a helmet for the stunt were alarming as safety seemed to take a back seat for that brief moment, so justifiably, a fine was in order for the production team. Stunt work comes with a lot of danger, and not having a basic requirement of a helmet for this motorcycle stunt felt a little careless. Hopefully, the fine will serve as an extra reminder to ensure a repeat of this incident is avoided, and the health and safety of the workers always remain paramount for the production companies.
Deadpool 2 was the final installment of the franchise under the Fox umbrella, as Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox will now see Reynolds’ Deadpool 3, which is currently in development at Marvel Studios, under the Mouse House’s control. Despite being an R-rated project under Disney’s regime, many are hoping the third installment will open a range of possibilities for the character now that Marvel Studios is involved. Whatever is in store for fans of Deadpool, hopefully, the production of part 3 will be without any of the unfortunate incidents that Deadpool 2 dealt with.
Source: Comicbook