UK Hits ‘Star Wars’ Producers With Criminal Charges Over Harrison Ford On-Set Accident
A year and a half after Harrison Ford was hit by a hydraulic door on the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the UK government said today that it is going after a Disney subsidiary with criminal charges.
“HSE has today informed Foodles Production (UK) Ltd that it will be prosecuted over four alleged breaches of health and safety law,” said a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive. Foodles was the actual UK producer of the Disney blockbuster and therefore on the hook, so to speak, for the June 12 2014 accident that left Ford with a broken leg, among other injuries.
“By law, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers – this is as true on a film set as a factory floor,” the UK government arm added of the incident at Pinewood Studios in London . “We have investigated thoroughly and believe that we have sufficient evidence to bring the case to court.”
Said Foodles today in response to the action: “Cast and crew safety is always a top priority. We provided full cooperation during HSE’s investigation into the on-set accident that occurred in June 2014 and are disappointed in HSE’s decision.” The London-based producers will appear in court on 4-charges on May 12.
The twist, no pun on Ford’s leg injury, is that the UK government moved heaven, Death Star, tax credits and Earth to get the latest Star Wars movies to film in England. With Episode VIII already in production at Pinewood, the Force is not with someone here.
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