Accidents on film sets are quite common, especially when it’s an action or adventure film. While most actors film these scenes under heavy precautions and security measures, it’s the production’s responsibility to look after the actors’ safety. And yet, many actors end up getting hurt, especially if they are new to the industry.
‘Teen Wolf‘ alum Dylan O’Brien recently opened up about a “life-changing” accident he suffered while filming ‘The Maze Runner: The Death Cure‘ and how it changed his ways of working on set. He also revealed that the production was careless about his safety, which led to his accident. Here’s what he said.
Dylan O’Brien Recalls Meeting With An Accident As A Young Actor
In a recent interview with ‘Men’s Health‘, Dylan O’Brien held no bars while speaking about the accident from 2016 when a stunt from a moving vehicle made him roll off, leaving him with major injuries. This was on the sets of the film ‘The Maze Runner: The Death Cure’.
Reflecting on the nightmare experience, O’Brien said, “It made me rethink everything about what I stand for on set and taking care of myself.” The 33-year-old actor added, “I’ve approached everything differently, you could say, particularly with regards to standing my ground on set.”
Related: Top 10 Hollywood Actors Who Perform Their Own Stunts
He further added that most newcomers in Hollywood are silenced, and if they resist, they become a “difficult” star. “Now I know to speak up,” he said, adding, “Don’t let them play games with your brain and make you think that is hard work.”
When the accident occurred, the actor was 24 years old, doing one of his first big films. “I was voicing my concerns about the way we were doing things, and they weren’t listened to; they were not considered. And then what happened, happened,” he said about the neglect on set.
Dylan O’Brien Opens Up About His Changed Approach As An Actor
The incident, however, left deep imprints on how Dylan O’Brien approaches his work, making sure to stand firm on his issues of well-being. “It’s taught me that, at the end of the day, in these spaces, you have your own back,” he said.
In case you missed it: ‘The Fall Guy’ Stuntman Logan Holladay Calls Out Academy Awards For Not Recognizing The Stunt Community
The actor also shared the emotional impact of the accident, crediting the filming of ‘American Assassin‘, in 2017 with crucial practices. In an interview with ‘The Hollywood Reporter‘, O’Brien said, “It was a really hard time that I was going through…but I just couldn’t be more thankful that I did it.”
He explained that the film helped “get him back on his feet” physically and emotionally, making this work truly personal for him. Now, with his 15 years of experience in the industry, O’Brien draws a big line and goes out of his way to preserve himself and fight for what’s right.
