Full details
The set of the new action film starring Jonathan Majors in South Carolina witnessed a crew strike after both Jonathan Majors and his co-star JC Kilcoyne fell from a window during filming. The incident occurred due to the replacement of the window with tempered glass that was unsecured—intended to be broken later in a scene without actor involvement—resulting in their fall from a height of about six feet.
Kilcoyne sustained injuries requiring stitches to his hands. Several crew members identified this accident as the catalyst for their strike, citing increasing safety concerns on set. They highlighted additional incidents, including falling supports and tree branches, as well as the absence of preparatory meetings with officials prior to shooting dangerous scenes or using prop weapons.
Details of the Dispute and Crew Concerns
Several workers reported a lack of usual professional organization from the production, such as the absence of a production manager and an official crew list, forcing some to share unofficial lists just to identify colleagues. The crew was also forced to relocate after discovering black mold at the original site, despite prior warnings about asbestos in the building.
Concerns were raised about special effects supervisor Chris Bailey, who reportedly has a criminal record related to illegal possession of explosives, increasing fears regarding the safety of practical effects execution on the film.
Producer Responses and Escalation
Although over 60% of the crew signed union cards to join IATSE and demand a collective bargaining agreement, the producers refused to negotiate. Producer Dallas Sonnier expressed his refusal to negotiate with what he called "communists," voicing frustration over strikes impacting the film industry.
These developments come amid escalating tensions between unions and producers in the film industry, with crew members demanding improved working conditions and safety guarantees, while producers reject concessions or negotiations concerning union demands.
Why This Matters
This dispute reflects significant challenges facing the American film industry amid rising calls for improved working conditions and occupational safety. It highlights tensions between labor rights and production management that could impact future film release schedules and quality.
This news has been rewritten based on a report originally published on deadline.com, maintaining the essential facts stated in the source.