20+ Movie Stunts That Didn't End Too Well
Being a film actor may seem like a sweet gig, but there's one aspect that can make it the most dangerous job on the planet: the stunts. And this applies to both daredevil A-listers and unsung stunt doubles. Whether they're flipping a car, leaping away from an explosion, or taking a knock-out punch, these performers are putting their lives on the line — so it should be no surprise that these scenes can go way off the rails. Not even Hollywood magic could cover up some of these very real scars...
Rocky took an actual punch
While Sylvester Stallone was shooting the classic Rocky IV, he insisted on making everything look as realistic as possible. There's no denying that it would make for a more believable film. Still, sometimes it's best to use a stunt double! Stallone asked co-star and on-screen rival Dolph Lundgren to punch him in the face as hard as he could. Lundgren obliged, and Stallone was sent to the ICU for an entire week!
Michael J. Fox runs out of air during Back to the Future Part III
Michael J. Fox didn't mind doing his own stunts for Back to the Future Part III. That is, until a scene where he was supposed to be hanged went horribly wrong. A rope malfunction resulted in the actor suffocating for real before the director noticed and had him cut down! Fox's panic looked so authentic, however, that the filmmakers kept the shot in the movie. How's that for cinema vérité?
Motorcycle crash during Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Stunt double Olivia Jackson had been part of the major blockbusters Mad Max: Fury Road and Star Wars: A Force Awakens. But it was while working on Resident Evil that she crashed her motorcycle into a crane-mounted camera. Suffering a spine injury, Jackson was placed in an induced coma for 17 days, and her left arm was amputated. Although she successfully sued those responsible, the mishap changed her life forever.
Isla Fisher got trapped for real
In the magic-centered movie Now You See Me, Isla Fisher was supposed to be "trapped" in a water tank. However, her performance was so convincing that the crew didn't realize she was actually drowning. Apparently, she had gotten tangled on a chain inside the trick box. Fortunately, she was able to get herself to safety.
