Zazie Beetz Mourns Loss Of Deadpool 2 Stuntwoman
Zazie Beetz is mourning the loss of Joi SJ Harris, a stuntwoman who died while believed to have been doubling for her character Domino on the set of Deadpool 2 on Monday.
"On Monday we tragically lost one of our own– Joi SJ Harris," Beetz shared in a handwritten note on Instagram. "My heart has been breaking the past two days and I have been searching what to say or do. I know that what I feel is nothing compared to what her loved ones, friends and family, are feeling. My heart and my love goes out to her and them all. The cast and crew send peace, healing, and their deepest condolences."
Harris, the first African-American female professional road racer, was killed while on the film's Vancouver set when the motorcycle she was riding crashed through the glass of the ground floor of Shaw Tower. Witnesses said she had performed the stunt four times perfectly, but on the fifth appeared to lose control, hit a post, and then travel through the window at about 60 kilometers per hour.
There have been some allegations suggesting that a rushed production led to Harris' death. Reports say that she joined production when producers realized they needed a different stunt performer, with the movie marking her first time working as a stuntwoman. Allegations suggest that the previous stuntwoman had a helmet designed to wear under her Domino wig, but due to the short notice, one was not made for Harris. The stunt community expressed their upset over the incident to The Hollywood Reporter, suggesting that it could have been prevented and that Harris should not have been on set in the first place.
Star Ryan Reynolds released a statement on his social media accounts after the crash, writing, "Today, we tragically lost a member of our crew while filming Deadpool. We're heartbroken, shocked and devastated... but recognize nothing can come close to the grief and inexplicable pain her family and loved ones must feel in this moment. My heart pours out to them– along with each and every person she touched in this world."
Director David Leitch also expressed his condolences, saying, "I'm deeply saddened by the loss of one of our stunt performers today. No words can express how I and the rest of the Deadpool 2 crew feel about this tragedy. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones in this difficult time."
Deadpool 2 is set to star Reynolds as the titular hero, with Beetz joining as Domino and Josh Brolin joining as Cable. Other cast members in the film include Jack Kesy, Shioli Kutsuna, Julian Dennison, T.J. Miller, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapacic, Leslie Uggams, and Karan Soni. The movie began filming in late July and has a June 1, 2018 release date.