LONDON: An accident in Morocco has injured several film crew members involved in shooting the sequel to the award-winning “Gladiator” movie.
The Sun newspaper reported an explosion during filming in the North African country that left six people hospitalized with burns.
Variety magazine said no actors were injured, but that four of the crew were still in hospital.
The accident happened during the filming of a stunt sequence, according to the BBC.
One source told the Sun: “It was terrifying — a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path. In years of filming, I’ve never seen an accident so scary.
“Everyone involved, from the lowliest runners to the star names, has been shaken up by this,” the source added.
Paramount Pictures, the movie’s production company, said in a statement that none of the injuries were life-threatening and that the crew members concerned were “all in a stable condition and continue to receive treatment.”
It added: “The safety and full medical services teams on site were able to act quickly so that those who were impacted immediately received necessary care.”
The film, directed by Ridley Scott and slated for release in November 2024, is still without an official title, but it stars actors Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielson.
The original “Gladiator,” released in 2000, told the story of an enslaved general in ancient Rome forced to fight for his freedom, and starred Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, and Oliver Reed. Also directed by Scott, it won five Oscars and raked in $457 million at the box office.
