The incident occurred while the 47-year-old performer was playing a dead soldier on a burning ship set when an unexpected gas-line blast propelled him forward and set his clothing ablaze. Co-workers immediately administered improvised first aid using bottled water and clingfilm before the injured performer was airlifted to a medical facility in Marrakesh and subsequently repatriated to the UK. His legal claim asserts that the resulting scars, reduced mobility, and sunlight hypersensitivity have severely impacted his quality of life. August Street Films admitted legal liability for the blast itself, though it has contested the compensation sum and specific damage claims.
Key points
The injured performer is seeking £200,000 in legal damages for lasting scarring, psycholo…: The injured performer is seeking £200,000 in legal damages for lasting scarring, psychological symptoms, and restricted physical mobility.
August Street Films has conceded responsibility for the incident while declining to accep…: August Street Films has conceded responsibility for the incident while declining to accept the specific injuries or requested compensation.
Studio parent Paramount maintained that on-site safety personnel responded rapidly and th…: Studio parent Paramount maintained that on-site safety personnel responded rapidly and that rigorous health and safety measures were followed.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
A British stuntman and actor is suing one of the companies behind Gladiator II, saying he suffered "excruciating" burns and permanent scarring in an accident while filming a scene on a burning ship.
Edward Sarsfield was playing a dead soldier in the movie in 2023 when a gas line used for special effects exploded on the vessel, causing 20ft flames that made his costume catch fire, his legal claim said.
He "panicked and ran" before colleagues threw bottles of water over his burns, which covered about 15% of his body, including his face, his arms and hands, he said.
Sarsfield is suing August Street Films, whose defence said it admits liability for the accident, but has not made an admission about the alleged injuries or agreed to the requested £200,000 damages.
Gladiator II, released in 2024, was the long-awaited sequel to the hit 2000 drama starring Russell Crowe. The follow-up was directed by Sir Ridley Scott and starred Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington.
Sarsfield, 47, from Liverpool, said he was working as an extra in a scene in…
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