Wednesday, November 2, 2011
'Expendables 2' Stuntmen Involved In On-Set Accident ID'd
Nu Image/Millennium Films has identified the stuntman who died on the Bulgarian set of "The Expendables 2" on October 27. Stuntman Kun Lieu was killed in an on-set explosion. The production company behind the all-star action sequel released a statement Tuesday (November 1) clarifying previous reports and updating the status of the second stuntman injured in the explosion. The second stuntman, Nuo Sun, was also injured in the explosion and was reportedly in critical condition when reports of the accident hit late last Thursday. A new statement released by Nu/Image Millennium Films updated his status, and Sun is now in stable condition in a hospital in Munich, where he was transported to undergo treatment by specialists. The statement also corrected claims made by Bulgarian newspapers that inaccurately identified the stuntmen as the doubles for Sylvester Stallone and Jet Li and asserted that the those stuntmen were nowhere near the set at the time of the incident. The production company also reconfirmed previous reports that neither the stars nor director Simon West were present for the accident. The full statement from Nu Image/Millennium Film follows: "Our deepest condolences go to the family of Kun Lieu. His passing is tragic. Our sympathies also go to Nuo Sun, who was seriously injured as a result of the same explosion. We have been informed his condition has stabilized. He has been transported to Munich, Germany, where he is receiving top medical care from the best specialists," the statement reads. "Regrettably, Bulgarian language newspapers have incorrectly reported that stunt doubles for Jet Li and Sylvester Stallone were involved in the accident. This is absolutely false and inaccurate. At the time of the accident neither Li's or Stallone's stuntmen were on or near the Second Unit set, nor were any of the film's main actors, director Simon West or any of the Main Unit crew. "Only Second Unit filming has been temporarily suspended and will resume shortly. The filmmakers continue to work with authorities investigating this accident. Main Unit production has not been interrupted and continues as scheduled." "Expendables 2" is scheduled to hit theaters next August and stars Stallone, Li, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Stay with MTV News for the latest updates on "Expendables 2." Check out everything we've got on "The Expendables 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Sylvester Stallone in "The Expendables" Photo: Lionsgate