John Woo Stuntman Burned Alive

Posted on June 10, 2008 at 10:49 am (PST)

A stuntman filming a scene for a new John Woo movie was burned alive in a bizarre accident during what should have been a routine stunt. Reuters reports:

At least three people were injured in the accident during the shooting of the battle epic, "Red Cliff".

"The fire broke out early Monday morning when the crew were shooting a scene in which a small, smoking boat crashed with a large ancient war vessel," Xinhua news agency said.

At the point of collision, at which machines let out smoke, an unchoreographed flame jumped 30 meters (yards) into the air, the Beijing News said, citing crew at the northern Beijing location.

Jackie Chan talked to Ellen about how little concern for safety there is when shooting stunts in Asia, as there is in Hollywood. Life is cheap in some countries, and so is the stuntman pay.