Tragedy struck the sets of Marvel’s upcoming series ‘Wonder Man’ as a crew member passed away in an on-set accident. The victim was a rigger who fell from the rafters at Studio City’s CBS Radford Studios on Tuesday morning.
The crew member’s identity has not been revealed yet. In a statement, Marvel expressed condolences to his family and friends. The company said it will fully support the investigation into the circumstances behind this devastating incident.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be looking into the accident and causes behind it. Matthew D Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, also expressed shock and grief over the loss.
Despite safety measures, fatal accidents have continued to occur occasionally during film productions. The death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a prop gun misfire on the sets of ‘Rust’ in 2021 is a recent example.
Marvel Studios was scheduled to begin filming for ‘Wonder Man’ next month in Atlanta. The show stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the titular role and is slated for release on Disney+.
It is unclear if this tragedy will cause any delay in the production schedule. The series has already faced some hurdles, with its premiere being pushed from late 2023 after industry strikes last year.
Marvel has been ramping up its slate of TV shows on Disney+ to expand the MCU. But this terrible accident is a solemn reminder that safety should always remain the top priority during the mega-budget productions.
Film sets can often become unsafe due to tight schedules and budgets. It is imperative that producers create a secure work environment and mitigate any risks involved in elaborate filming.
While the Marvel crew member’s sudden passing has shocked the industry, the studios must re-examine their safety guidelines and on-set protocols. No creative pursuit should lead to the loss of a human life.
