Stuntman Sues Gladiator II Company Over Set Fire Burns
British stuntman Edward Sarsfield says a gas explosion on a burning-ship scene in Morocco left him with permanent scarring. The company admits liability for the accident but makes no admission on the alleged injuries.
A British stuntman is taking legal action over an explosion on the set of Gladiator II. He says he was badly burned during a scene built around a ship made to look as if it was on fire.
A burning ship and a gas line
Edward Sarsfield, 47, from Liverpool, was working as an extra in Morocco in 2023. The scene showed a coastal castle under siege from an approaching ship. He played a dead soldier lying on the ship's port side, only a few feet from a gas line that fed flame bars made to simulate fire.
His claim says a gas explosion hit him without warning and blew him forwards. He saw flames 20 feet tall, and his costume caught fire. He panicked and ran, fell over a few times, and got out of the flames. Colleagues threw water on him, took off his clothes and wrapped the burns in clingfilm.
Injuries and treatment
The documents, filed at the High Court in London, describe flash burns across about 15% of his body, including the face, arms and hands. He also hurt both knees and his right wrist. A helicopter took him to hospital in Marrakesh, where, according to the claim, treatment was limited. He was returned to the UK four days later and treated in hospital there.
The claim says he lost physical condition and has limits on his mobility, along with psychological symptoms. It says the scarring is permanent and hypersensitive, and that he needs to stay out of the sun.
What the company says
He is suing August Street Films, a subsidiary of Paramount. Its defence accepts liability for the accident. On the injuries alleged it makes no admission, and it has not agreed to the £200,000 sought in damages.
Paramount said at the time that several crew members suffered non-life-threatening injuries during a planned stunt sequence. It said on-site safety and medical teams acted quickly and that those affected received care. Sarsfield, August Street Films and Paramount declined to comment further.
Gladiator II was released in 2024 as the sequel to the 2000 drama starring Russell Crowe. Sir Ridley Scott directed it, and Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington starred.
Source: BBC News