Hollywood is a paradise of glamour, fame, and… near-death experiences? So, grab your 3D glasses (because let’s face it, we’re all a little morbidly curious), and join us as we delve into the Hollywood Actors Who Almost Died Filming.
While awards ceremonies and red carpets dominate the headlines, there’s another side to filmmaking – the inherent danger that lurks behind the scenes. From stunts gone wrong to freak accidents, even the biggest stars have brushed with oblivion.
Tom Holland
Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man almost became a very unfriendly ghost during the filming of “Spider-Man: Far from home.” Performing a high-wire swinging stunt without a stunt double, Holland
misjudged the distance and nearly plummeted from a significant height. Thankfully, the safety harness did its job, leaving him shaken but not stirred (with a newfound respect for stunt performers, no doubt).
Charlize Theron
While filming the action-packed “Atomic Blonde 2,” Theron took on a particularly brutal fight scene. A misplaced punch from her co-star resulted in a concussion so severe she had to be hospitalized. Lesson learned: even the strongest action heroes need to prioritize safety protocols.
Tom Cruise (Always, Apparently)
Is there a list about near-death experiences on set that doesn’t include Tom Cruise? This time, during the filming of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two” (yes, that’s a real title), Cruise
attempted a motorcycle jump between two cliffs. A minor miscalculation could have resulted in a real cliffhanger ending, but luckily, the ever-daring Cruise landed safely.
Jackie Chan The Stunt Master
The king of death-defying stunts himself almost became a real-life casualty during the filming of “Dragon Fist.” A complex stunt involving a collapsing building went awry, leaving Chan with a fractured pelvis. Even the most seasoned stunt performers can’t outrun bad luck forever.
Margot Robbie
While filming the Harley Quinn standalone movie “Birds of Prey,” Robbie decided to perform a stunt involving a collapsing balcony. A malfunction with the special effects rigging sent debris flying,
narrowly missing the actress. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of meticulous set preparation.
Daniel Radcliffe
The boy who lived almost didn’t after a stage malfunction during his Broadway play “The Murders.” A heavy piece of scenery nearly fell on him, highlighting the dangers that exist even outside of traditional film sets. Safety first, even for the Chosen One.
Chris Pratt
While filming a scene for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” involving a runaway gyrosphere, Pratt found himself precariously close to a real-life
dinosaur… well, okay, a very realistic animatronic one. The malfunctioning vehicle almost sent him tumbling into the enclosure, a fate worse than a T-Rex encounter (probably).
Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games almost became a real-life nightmare for Lawrence on the set of the dark comedy “Bad Blood.” A stunt involving an exploding
glass table backfired, sending shards flying and injuring her eye. This incident sparked a renewed discussion about on-set safety regulations.
Ryan Reynolds
The Merc with a Mouth nearly met his actual end while filming the action flick “Red Notice.” A stunt involving a high-speed car chase resulted in a near-miss collision. Reynolds, known for his humor, later joked that he saw his life flash before his eyes, and it mostly consisted of box office receipts.
Scarlett Johansson
The Black Widow almost became a real-life ghost during the filming of “Avengers: Endgame.” An underwater stunt involving a malfunctioning breathing apparatus sent shivers down everyone’s spine. Thankfully, quick action by the crew averted tragedy.
Jason Momoa
Aquaman nearly got a taste of his own medicine while filming “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” During a scene involving a complex underwater sequence, Momoa became entangled in some rigging and struggled to resurface. This incident highlights the inherent dangers of underwater filming.
Chris Hemsworth
The God of Thunder almost met a very non-godly fate twice within a few years. The first incident occurred in 2021 during the filming of “Thor: Love and Thunder” when a prop weapon malfunctioned and nearly struck him in the head.
The second near-miss happened in 2023 while filming the action-packed “Mad Max: Furiosa” reboot. Hemsworth was involved in a high-speed car chase stunt that went slightly awry, reminding us even superheroes aren’t invincible.
Blake Lively
While filming the shark thriller “The Deep,” Lively found herself face-to-face with a real danger – a real shark. Apparently, the safety barrier malfunctioned, allowing the apex predator a little too close for comfort.
Lively, ever the professional, managed to maintain her composure and complete the scene, although we can only imagine the adrenaline rush that followed.
Idris Elba
Filming the high-octane car chase sequence for “Fast & Furious 9” almost turned deadly for Elba. A stunt involving a car flipping went wrong, leaving
the car precariously close to a cliff edge. Thankfully, the stunt crew managed to secure the vehicle before it plunged into the abyss.
Zoë Kravitz
Catwoman nearly had nine lives less while filming “The Batman.” During a particularly intense fight scene, Kravitz misjudged a jump and landed awkwardly, fracturing her ankle. This incident underscores the importance of proper training and rehearsal for even the most seasoned actors.
While these near-death experiences on set are certainly scary, they also serve as a testament to the incredible resilience of actors and stunt performers. They push boundaries, defy gravity, and put their bodies on the line to bring stories to life.
The next time you watch a heart-stopping action sequence or gasp at a death-defying stunt, remember the dedication and bravery it takes to bring those moments to the screen.
So, here’s to the actors and stunt performers who take risks, who cheat death (hopefully metaphorically), and who ultimately entertain us with their incredible talent.
Just maybe, the next time you see your favorite star effortlessly leaping between buildings or battling imaginary monsters, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the real-life courage that goes into making it all look so easy.
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