On March 31, 1993, actor Brandon Lee was fatally shot on the set of the film "The Crow" during a scene involving a prop gun. The incident occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina, when a dummy bullet unintentionally left in the barrel of the gun was discharged, striking Lee in the abdomen and causing fatal injuries. The production faced significant scrutiny, resulting in a fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, though it was later reduced.
The film, directed by Alex Proyas and based on a comic book by James O’Barr, was completed using Lee's stunt double and visual effects. Despite initial resistance due to its dark themes, "The Crow" was released in 1994, earning over $50 million globally and achieving cult status. The tragedy of Lee's death led to stricter safety protocols regarding firearms on film sets.
Nearly three decades later, the film industry faced a similar tragedy when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of "Rust" in New Mexico in October 2021. Actor Alec Baldwin was handling a revolver that unexpectedly discharged a live round during rehearsal. This incident rekindled concerns over firearm safety on sets, echoing the circumstances of Lee's death. Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges with a trial set for July, highlighting ongoing issues in handling weapons on set despite past lessons.