In a stunning turn of events on the set of Eddie Murphy’s newest film “The Pickup,” an unforeseen accident left several crew members injured, two of whom found themselves relegated to the hushed halls of a local hospital. Confirmatory details poured in from both Amazon MGM Studios, the production company shouldering the film, and an undisclosed insider privy to the intimate operations of the film’s development.
As rooms of anxious onlookers watched, Saturday’s incident unfolded on a filming location nestled in the scenic vistas of Georgia. According to both representatives from the studio and inside sources, the calamitous event was spawned by a rehearsed scene, supposedly safeguarded by diligent attention to precautionary measures.
Absent at the time from the set’s bustling activity were the film’s central icons, with Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, and Pete Davidson all proving unaffected by the unfortunate incident. The subsequent injuries inflicted by the accident proved diverse in their severity, meandering from superficial bruises and bumps to the grave reality of fractured bones. The two crew members admitted to the hospital are anticipated to return to full health in the coming weeks.
Providing a glimpse into the harrowing incident, the undisclosed source cited a truck’s sudden malfunction, resulting in its abrupt collision with an unsuspecting car. The source, who chose to remain nameless due to restrictions on public information sharing, emphasized the unexpected nature of the accident. “It was a completely freak accident,” the source voiced, “It wasn’t even a complicated or dangerous stunt.”
The scene, tragically marred by the accident, fell within the jurisdiction of the film’s second unit. A rather peripheral group, the second unit is typically tasked with capturing scenes void of the high-profile aura of the director or principal actors.
In an official statement, the studio acknowledged the misfortunate reality of the accident. “Unfortunately, the sequence did not go as planned and several members of the crew were injured as a result,” stated the somber spokesperson. Seeking to reassure the public of their commitment to safety, the statement continued, “The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”
As yet, the identities and specific roles of the injured remain veiled by the studio. Concurrently, the union representing the vast majority of film crew members, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, has launched their own investigative pursuit into the accident.
Directed by Tim Story, known for such notable works as 2002’s “Barbershop” and 2005’s “Fantastic Four,” “The Pickup” has been active in and around Atlanta since February 20. Although no official release date has been set for the movie, the incident is unlikely to impose any significant delays on the film’s progression.
