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Gregg Allman sues to stop biopic production

By | Published on Wednesday 7 May 2014

Greg Allman

Gregg Allman has launched legal action in an attempt to halt the production of a film based on his 2012 autobiography. This follows the death of a camera assistant on the movie, Sarah Jones, who died when she was hit by a train during filming.

The accident occurred on 20 Feb during the filming of a dream sequence involving a bed being placed on train tracks. The bed was to be passed by two trains, but a third appeared un expectedly, striking Jones, who was killed, while several other members of the crew were injured by flying debris.

Investigators have said that the operator of the tracks on which the accident occurred claims that the production company did not have proper permission to film there. A decision is yet to be made on whether or not anyone will be charged over the incident.

Following the accident, actor William Hurt, who was playing Allman, quit the film, and the production company, Unclaimed Freight Productions, postponed shooting indefinitely. However, there are now plans to begin filming again in June.

In his lawsuit, Allman says that the company has lost its right to make a film of his book as he is still owed $9000 from them and principal photography had not begun before a 28 Feb deadline.

Prior to launching legal action, Allman appealed directly to director Randall Miller, saying in a letter: “The reality of Sarah Jones’ tragic death, the loss suffered by the Jones family and injuries to the others involved has led me to realise that for you to continue production would be wrong. Your desires as a filmmaker should not outweigh your obligations as a human being. I am asking you to do the right thing and to set aside your attempts to resume the production out of respect for Sarah, her family and the loss that all of us feel so deeply”.



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