Summary
A Batgirl movie extra is suing Warner Bros. for an on-set motorcycle accident, detailing her gruesome injuries and lengthy recovery process.
Warner Bros. has not yet addressed the lawsuit filed against them, and the exact amount of compensation being sought by the extra remains undisclosed. The incident additionally harms the reputation of the Batgirl movie, which was ultimately cancelled as a result of the studio's attempts to reduce costs following a merger and substantial debt.
A Batgirl extra who was involved in an on-set motorcycle accident during the filming of the cancelled DC project is suing Warner Bros. for damages. The extra, Cristina Stanovici, has revealed the details of her injuries, including being left without proper medical help for almost an hour and the long and painful healing process that lasted 17 months. It is not currently known how much compensation Stanovici is seeking, and Warner Bros. has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
The Batgirl Accident Further Dampens The DC Movie's Reputation
Listening to the anesthesiologist utter the words "we had our fingers crossed for you" sends a shiver down your spine. The surgeon described it as one of the most severe cases he has witnessed in his eight years at the hospital. A motorcycle equipped with cameras was filming the incident. It struck me from the right side, causing me to go airborne. Desperate for help, I screamed to grab the attention of the paramedics, recalling that an ambulance had been present at the location in previous days. For nearly an hour, I laid there as they assessed and stabilized my condition. Regrettably, I remained conscious throughout the terrifying ordeal, a memory that will haunt me forever. My body suffered numerous fractures, including my femur, tibia plateau, pubic bone, and several non-displaced fractures in the pelvis. Additionally, I sustained a broken thumb and a head laceration. The surgery for my femur, performed after roughly 10 hours, lasted over five hours, accompanied by five blood transfusions. I was on the verge of death. An elongated rod is now implanted in my femur, stretching from my hip to knee. Originally, the plan was to make two incisions, one at the top and one at the bottom, but due to severe swelling, my entire leg had to be cut open to alleviate the pressure. I endured the most challenging period of my life in solitude. Even after 17 months, my leg continues to ache and feel weak. Moreover, it is visibly deformed, compounding my trauma. This leg will require one or two additional surgeries, but it will never be the same again. The recovery process has been and continues to be excruciating. I experience pain every single day, with every single step. Some may perceive it as just a broken leg, but it is far more than that. It is a personal tragedy that leaves your body shattered, with your mind following suit. Many individuals, including myself, who endure such circumstances, believe that death may have been an easier path. I strongly believe that safety measures on movie sets should be improved, particularly now with Glasgow emerging as a popular filming location, utilizing extras from the local community. Their well-being should be taken into consideration. I initially went there seeking enjoyment, to witness the intricacies of movie-making. Yet, look at what unfolded before me.
The amount of damages Stanovici is seeking from WB remains unclear, and the prospects of her lawsuit against the studio are equally uncertain. One of the numerous reasons for the studio's decision to shelve Batgirl in the first place was the new CEO David Zaslav's need to address the substantial debt inherited from the merger, estimated to be between $47-50 billion. A report published in October 2022 revealed that WBD managed to save over $2 billion through tax write-offs, which seemingly justified their choice to shelve the movie despite facing criticism from both the industry and the audience.
Stanovici's chances of receiving compensation from WBD for the accident are better than the movie's chances of getting a proper release. However, the studio's cost-cutting measures may pose challenges for her goals. It's worth noting that the stunt industry and actors, in general, have been undergoing a reassessment by the wider entertainment industry due to the success of the John Wick franchise and the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Many blockbuster productions have faced criticism for their on-set safety protocols, particularly after incidents like the fire on the set of Gladiator 2 that injured six crew members. If Stanovici's lawsuit for her Batgirl on-set accident is successful, it could potentially spark discussions about safety on action movie sets and encourage other studios to take responsibility for their projects.
Source: The Sun
