When Star Wars: The Force Awakens shot at Pinewood Studios on June 2014, Harrison Ford, who plays Han Solo in the film, broke his leg after a hydraulic door on the set of the Millennium Falcon struck the actor. Following the incident, the 73-year-old actor, who was 71 at the time, had to undergo surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. Star Wars: The Force Awakens filming had to be suspended for two weeks.
On Thursday, British health authorities have charged Star Wars producers over the on-set accident.
According to the Associated Press, the Health and Safety Executive charged Foodles Production (UK) Ltd., a Walt Disney Co. subsidiary, for breaching four laws under workplace health and safety.
Health authorities stated:
...by law, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers — this is as true on a film set as a factory floor.
In response, Foodles Production said they are disappointed by the decision and added that safety of cast and crew was their "top priority."
Accidents are unavoidable in any film production, but the extent of Ford's injury is quite surprising. Considering the budget that the studio has put into production, I was expecting more precautions to have been taken. I don't know exactly how these things work, but it also surprises me that it's taken this long before the charges were placed. Nevertheless, I think the producers wouldn't have much problems with the cost over the charges.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has already raked in $2 billion worldwide since its release in December 2015.
Filming on Rian Johnson's Star Wars: Episode VIII has already begun. The eight episode in the saga is set for release on December 15, 2017. Meanwhile, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is slated for a December 14 release this year.
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