Stuntman in John Woo Film Dies

A fire that occurred on the set of John Woo's newest film killed one stuntman and injured six others on Monday, reported the Associated Press. The movie, Chi Bi, or Red Cliff, is a historical epic. The accident happened when a fire started on a small boat that rammed into the set of an ancient warship, according to the state media of China.

The Xinhua news agency told Reuters, "The fire broke out early Monday morning when the crew were shooting a scene in which a small, smoking boat crashed with a large ancient war vessel." The machines were letting out smoke, but when they collided, an unchoreographed flame jumped 30 meters into the air, according to Reuters.

The production marks Woo's return to Chinese-language film after being in Hollywood and this has been the latest setback in his epic production, reported AP. They have been filming since last April and since then they have lost actors Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung Chiu Wai, though Leung later returned. The crew was also not able to shoot on the Yangtze which made him create a whole new backdrop for the filming, according to AP.

The film is also backed by the Chinese government who views the movie as an important showcase of Chinese history and wants the film to be out before the Olympics start on August 8. Woo created such films as Face/Off and Mission Impossible 2. The film is adapted from a classic novel in China which sets it in 208 AD at a battle in which 2,000 ships were burnt.