Gladiator II stuntman sues — A British stuntman is taking legal action against a production company behind Gladiator II, claiming he suffered severe burns during a special-effects accident while filming in Morocco. The case centres on a gas-powered flame effect that went wrong on a ship set, leaving the performer with lasting physical and psychological injuries.
The incident on the burning ship
Edward Sarsfield, 47, from Liverpool, was working as an extra in a scene depicting a coastal castle under siege from an approaching vessel. According to documents filed at London’s High Court, he was playing a dead soldier lying on the port side of a ship that had been illuminated by gas-powered flame bars to simulate fire.
Sarsfield was positioned only a few feet from the gas line when, without warning, an explosion occurred. He described seeing flames reaching 20 feet and feeling intense heat as his costume caught fire. He said he was immediately aware that strips of skin had peeled from his arms.
In a state of panic, he ran and fell several times before escaping the flames. Colleagues threw bottles of water over him, undressed him and applied clingfilm to his burns. He was later flown by helicopter to a hospital in Marrakesh.
Injuries and aftermath
The legal claim states that Sarsfield sustained flash burns to about 15% of his body, including his face, arms and hands, as well as injuries to both knees and his right wrist. He remained in what the claim describes as excruciating pain, with limited treatment available in Morocco. He was repatriated to the UK four days later, where his wounds received appropriate hospital care.
The claim further details that Sarsfield, formerly a man of considerable physical prowess, has suffered significant physical deconditioning, with limitations to his mobility, and has also experienced psychological symptoms. It adds that he has permanent, hypersensitive scarring and must keep out of the sun.
Legal positions
Sarsfield is suing August Street Films, a subsidiary of Paramount, and is seeking £200,000 in damages. The company’s defence admits liability for the accident but does not make admissions regarding the alleged injuries or the requested sum.
In 2023, a Paramount spokesperson confirmed that several crew members were hurt in an accident during a planned stunt sequence, describing their injuries as non-life-threatening. The spokesperson said on-set safety and medical teams acted quickly and that those affected received necessary care. The studio emphasised that the well-being of cast and crew is of the utmost importance and that strict health and safety procedures are in place on all productions.
Sarsfield, August Street Films and Paramount have declined to comment further.
Gladiator II, directed by Sir Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, was released in 2024 as the sequel to the 2000 film starring Russell Crowe.
