The production of Eddie Murphy’s upcoming Amazon Studios movie, ‘The Pickup,’ has been marred by an on-set accident that left several crew members injured. The incident occurred on April 20 during the rehearsal of a second unit action sequence in Georgia, where the film is currently shooting.
In a statement, Amazon Studios confirmed the mishap, revealing that the planned sequence did not unfold as intended, resulting in multiple crew members sustaining injuries. The studio is currently gathering facts to determine the cause of the accident and the extent of the injuries sustained.
According to reports from the Associated Press, the accident involved a truck that unexpectedly “locked up” and crashed into a car during the stunt rehearsal. While the exact nature of the injuries has not been officially disclosed, the AP’s sources indicate that at least two individuals were hospitalized, with injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones.
Neither Eddie Murphy nor his co-stars Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson were present on set during the incident.
Amazon Studios emphasized that the well-being of the entire cast and crew is their top priority, stating, “We are still in the process of gathering facts on what happened and why, but first and foremost our thoughts are with those who are recovering. The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union representing crew members, has also launched an inquiry into the accident. In a statement, IATSE acknowledged being “aware of an accident that took place on the Georgia set of ‘The Pickup’ and have started an inquiry.”
The incident has caused a temporary halt in production as investigations into the cause of the mishap are ongoing. The safety of all individuals involved in the filmmaking process is of paramount importance, and it is expected that a thorough review of protocols and procedures will be conducted to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
As the industry awaits further details, the focus remains on the recovery and well-being of the injured crew members, underscoring the inherent risks associated with on-set stunts and the need for stringent safety measures.
