Today It’s been confirmed that good ol’ Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford, has fractured his ankle whilst filming the next Star Wars instalment at Pinewood Studios. To make it even more interesting and seriously cool, it is being reported that the cause of the injury was the door of the Millennium Falcon, but so far this is just a rumour and not confirmed by anyone related to the production.
Despite many a story flying wildly around Ford has not been crushed though the actor was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford. Lucasfilm announced “Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care.” More importantly confirming that “shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates,”
The incident was reported to the police with Thames Valley Police confirming officers had been called to the studio, near London, with reports a 71-year-old man had been injured in an incident involving a garage door. The force also confirmed The Health and Safety Executive is investigating, with the possibility of Pinewood Studios getting a full safety check in wake of the incident.
This is not the first time Ford has been injured on set. Whilst filming Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, he sustained a back injury requiring surgery. Director Spielberg did not delay shooting instead enlisting the help of a stunt double, who was often mistaken for the lead whilst on set, as a stand in.
Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams and alongside Harrison Ford stars Lupita Nyong’o’, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow along with the original stars of the Saga – Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker. The first in the new trilogy is set for worldwide release in December 2015.
