Morocco’s Culture and Youth Minister Mehdi Bensaid visited Wednesday the filming site of “Gladiator 2.” The visit aimed to assess the situation following the explosion incident that left a number of crew members injured.
According to a statement, Bensaid’s visit demonstrated the government’s support for the film industry in Morocco.
During the visit, Bensaid had the opportunity to meet with acclaimed British director and producer, Ridley Scott, and his team. Expressing his confidence in the country’s cinematic potential, the minister highlighted Ouarzazate’s position as a prime destination for film production.
The minister emphasized the significant economic benefits that international film productions bring to the region. By attracting major projects, these productions create direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local population and contribute to the overall growth of the film industry.
While inspecting the film set, Bensaid expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting such endeavors. He pledged continued collaboration in film and cultural initiatives, recognizing the crucial role they play in promoting the country’s artistic and creative sectors.
The news comes days after converging news reports indicated that multiple crew members were injured during the filming of a stunt sequence for the highly anticipated film “Gladiator 2” in Morocco.
Paramount Pictures, the studio producing the film, released a statement acknowledging the accident, which happened during a planned stunt sequence.
A statement from the studio announced that all the injured individuals are in stable condition and receiving treatment. Four crew members remain hospitalized, while two others were treated locally and subsequently discharged.
The injuries primarily consisted of burn injuries, according to a source familiar with the production. No cast members were harmed in the accident, which occurred near the end of the shooting day.
