The Deadpool films featuring Ryan Reynolds as the foul-mouthed wisecracking anti-hero were a unique departure from Marvel’s usual family-friendly aesthetic. Both installments had widespread appeal while also making the big numbers at the box office. With Deadpool 3 due to release in 2024, Marvel fans are eagerly awaiting the testosterone-driven chemistry between Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
Amidst the success, the film also met with some unfortunate turn of events. The filming of Deadpool 2 was marred by the tragic death of a stuntwoman who was the body double for actor Zazie Beetz. This scene was eventually reshot for the final edit of the film. Seeing this new sequence on screen though, made fans question the perverse logic behind including the stunt in the light of what had happened.
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The Tragic Death On The Sets Of Deadpool 2
There’s a lot that can go equally right or wrong on a film set. While Deadpool 2 can take pride in being a film that appealed to audiences, a terrible tragedy that befell the production took away some of the shine. Professional racer and stuntwoman Joi SJ Harris was killed when she was doubling for actor Zazie Beetz in a motorcycle stunt scene from the film. Despite reportedly preparing for stunt several times, the professional was ejected from the motorcycle and fatally crashed into a building.
An investigation that subsequently ensued, led the government agency WorkSafeBC to make some disturbing findings on set. In a detailed statement following the appraisal, the agency accused production giant 20th Century Fox of failing to ensure safety protocols like the efficacy of helmets, speed of the motorcycle, and other measures that are involved in risk assessment on set. Harris’ bereaved family meanwhile, negotiated an out-of-court settlement for their loss.
Ryan Reynolds and the cast and crew of Deadpool 2 expressed their heartfelt grief on the death while the film made a dedication to Harris in the credits. Fox responded to the allegations by disagreeing with the findings and clearly stating that ensuring the safety of every single member on set was their topmost priority. The scene in question was subsequently scrapped, rewritten, and reshot for the final cut.
Why Netizens Could Not Stomach The Reworked Action Scene In Deadpool 2
After the terrible motorcycle incident in Deadpool 2 involving the death of a stuntwoman doubling for Zazie Beets’ character Domino, the scene took a completely different shape in the final edit. In the sequence, the actor is seen descending from a parachute and running across the street as cars fly and tumble past her.
But netizens who had heard about the horrible mishap on set, were repulsed by the film’s logic to include a scene that was a perverse reminder of an unfortunate death, even if it wasn’t the same one. Many viewers felt that Deadpool 2 should have respected stuntwoman Harris by taking out the sequence completely from the film. One particular tweet which was later deleted, felt that the tragedy was like brutal irony considering Domino’s invincible persona.
While Deadpool 2 managed to tide over the backlash and went on to make good money at the box office, the stunwoman’s unfortunate death on set will continue to be a grim reminder of the dangers that come with a job of this nature.
