In a shocking revelation, a stuntman has shared details of a close call on the set of Denzel Washington’s 2010 action thriller Unstoppable, in which a potentially catastrophic incident almost occurred during a high-stakes stunt.
Washington, renowned for his roles in Glory, Training Day, and The Equalizer franchise, is no stranger to action-packed roles. His filmography, which spans across multiple genres, includes notable performances in Malcolm X, Remember the Titans, and American Gangster, among others. However, it’s his action films that have consistently captured the attention of audiences, particularly the Equalizer series and Unstoppable.
Unstoppable, directed by Tony Scott, follows the story of two railroad workers (played by Washington and Chris Pine) trying to stop a runaway freight train. Inspired by the real-life 2001 “Crazy Eights” incident, the film’s heart-pounding action sequences, including high-speed train crashes and fiery explosions, were a major draw at the box office, grossing $167.8 million.
However, the movie’s intense action sequences almost led to a disaster on set. During a Stunt Pilot Reacts to Bad & Great Helicopter Stunts video by Corridor Crew, stunt pilot Fred North recounted a terrifying moment during the filming of one of the film’s explosive scenes. North, who was responsible for timing a crucial stunt, explained that a delayed explosion put him dangerously close to the blast zone.
“I was counting down for the explosion, calling out numbers like ‘ten, five,’ but when I hit the ‘action’ call, nothing happened,” North said. “I thought I was going to be barbecue. I had to wait until the very last second, and as a result, I ended up way closer than I should have been.”
North, who had been working with Scott for years, described how the timing of the explosion was critical for his safety. Tony Scott, known for pushing boundaries with his action sequences, even gave North the nickname “French toast,” hinting at the danger he faced.
Had the explosion gone off as planned, the outcome could have been far worse, serving as a stark reminder of the risks stunt performers take to create thrilling on-screen moments. The close call adds an extra layer of tension to Unstoppable, a film that already keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its pulse-pounding action.
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