Car Chase Accident On Set of Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer’s ‘The Pickup’ Being Investigated
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Updated 4/25/2024 at 11:10 a.m. ET
As the film industry reels from the “freak accident” on the set of the Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer movie, “The Pickup,” video of the car crash reveals just how bad things could’ve been.
In footage released by The New York Times, an armored truck swerves into an SUV, sending them both off the road. They violently roll and flip before stopping.
Movie sets are just like any other workplace, which means a big accident triggers an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
We still don’t know what exactly caused the accident, but the truck swerving into the SUV was reportedly a planned part of the stunt.
Original story below
When we’re watching a big budget action movie with crazy fight scenes, thrilling car chases and seemingly flawless shootouts, it’s easy to forget how dangerous it all is. However, the tragic shooting on the set of “Rust” is a stark reminder that movie magic is actually based on the very real expertise of a talented cast and crew.
On Saturday, “The Pickup,” an Amazon MGM Studios film directed by Tim Story (“The Blackening”) and starring Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer, became the latest production to suffer a major on-set accident. According to the Associated Press, an anonymous source described the incident as a “freak accident” that happened during a car crash stunt “when a truck ‘locked up’ and hit another vehicle.”
Several crew members reportedly suffered injuries that “ranged from bumps and bruises to broken bones.” Two crew members ended up in the hospital, with one still hospitalized as of Tuesday. Neither Murphy nor Palmer were on set during the second unit sequence.
A spokesperson for Amazon MGM Studios said the action scene was rehearsed, but “Unfortunately, the sequence did not go as planned and several members of the crew were injured as a result.”
“All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot,” the spokesperson added.
As action movies have become Hollywood’s most profitable genre, stunt performers and actors have lobbied for years for stunt teams to receive more recognition at awards ceremonies, including The Oscars. When you’re watching a “John Wick” movie or an “Avengers” film, it takes an extremely talented team of stunt people effortlessly working together to create the flawless ballet of action that appears on screen. There’s an incredible amount of trust and preparation involved in making these moments seem real.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union that represents crew members, said in a statement: “IATSE is aware of an accident that took place on the Georgia set of The Pickup and have started an inquiry.”
This incident is particularly notable as it comes amid IATSE’s ongoing negotiations with studios for a new contract. Following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, the industry is hoping to avoid another costly shutdown.
