British stuntman and actor Edward Sarsfield is suing a production company behind Gladiator II after suffering burns and permanent scarring in an explosion during filming in Morocco in 2023.
Sarsfield, 47, is seeking £200,000 in damages from August Street Films, a subsidiary of Paramount. The company has admitted liability for the accident but has not accepted responsibility for the injuries he claims to have suffered.
According to documents filed at London’s High Court, Sarsfield was playing a dead soldier in a scene involving a burningship when a gas line used for special effects exploded.
He said he was lying on the port side of the vessel, close to a gas line connected to flame bars used to create the effect of a ship on fire.
The claim states that the explosion sent flames about 20 feet high, caught Sarsfield and blew him forward.
“He saw 20 foot tall flames and felt immense heat. His costume caught fire. He was immediately aware that strips of skinhad peeled from his arms,” the court documents said.
Sarsfield said he panicked and ran from the flames, falling several times before colleagues threw water over his burns. Hisclothes were removed and clingfilm was applied to the injured areas.
He suffered flash burns covering about 15 per cent of his body, including his face, arms and hands. He also sustainedinjuries to both knees and his right wrist.
He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Marrakesh, where his claim said treatment was limited and he remained insevere pain. He returned to the UK four days later for further treatment.
The claim said the injuries affected his physical condition and mobility, adding that he had also experienced psychologicalsymptoms.
It further stated that he had suffered permanent and sensitive scarring and needed to avoid exposure to sunlight.
August Street Films, in its defence, admitted liability for the accident but said it did not accept the alleged injuries oragree to the £200,000 compensation sought.
Paramount confirmed in 2023 that several crew members were injured during the incident while filming a planned stuntsequence.
“While filming a planned stunt sequence on the set of the Gladiator sequel, an accident occurred during which severalcrew members experienced non-life-threatening injuries,” the company said in a statement at the time.
It added that those affected received immediate medical attention and were in stable condition.
The studio also said the safety of cast and crew remained a priority and that it had strict health and safety procedures inplace on its productions.
Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, was released in 2024. The sequel to the 2000 film Gladiator stars Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington.
Sarsfield, August Street Films and Paramount declined to comment further.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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