Jason Statham addresses Joe Watts’ injury as stuntman’s ‘serious’ fall stalls Fast And Furious 9 set
Calling stuntmen his ‘best mates’ in the film industry, the Hobbs And Shaw star addressed Joe’s fall and subsequent hospitalisation at the premiere of his latest movie in the Furious franchise in London.
‘It’s a very, very concerning thing when someone gets hurt. The families have to endure that difficulty.
Adding it was ‘awful’, he noted the stuntmen of the industry are the ‘unsung heroes’ of Hollywood.
Jason said: ‘They are the ones that put themselves in harm’s way to make other people look good.’
The Deckard Shaw actor added: ‘Stuntmen have always been my firm favourite on any movie set. I’ve worked closely with them for many years […] I’m more at home in the company of stuntmen than any other department. These are my close pals.
‘They are really uncelebrated, and it’s a real shame because they are incredibly skilled.’
Yesterday it was claimed Joe was placed in an induced coma with his fiancee Tilly Powell breaking her silence on social media.
The set of the ninth film in the Furious franchise was thrown into chaos on Monday and shutdown after experienced stuntman Joe injured himself performing a scene.
He was said to have a serious head injury after a cable snapped as he was leaping off a balcony, with his fiancée and fellow stuntman Tilly addressing her partner’s incident.
She wrote: ‘Joe has suffered a serious head injury and is in an induced coma. He is stable and is being monitored closely throughout the night.
‘I love him so much and my heart is shattered. He has all his family and friends by his side to get him through this!’
‘Staff and students from the Creative Academy at Slough Borough Council were saddened to hear of Joe’s accident,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We hope he makes a speedy recovery and send our best wishes to Joe and his family.
According to a report, Vin Diesel is said to be particularly affected by the incident, with Joe believed to be his body double. ‘The stuntman fell at least 30 feet – maybe a bit more,’ a source said. ‘Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after. He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened.
‘The stuntman fell at least 30 feet – maybe a bit more,’ a source said.
‘Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after. He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened.’
Filming was stopped and the cast and crew were allegedly sent home ‘fearing the worst’ as the stuntman was airlifted to Royal London Hospital.
Fast and Furious 9 has a May 2020 release date, and will be directed by Justin Lin with this film being his fifth in the franchise.
