Matt Damon, ‘Great Wall’ Crew Exposed to Banned Chemicals, Dangerous Conditions on Set (Report)
Safety practices “routinely ignored” on biggest Hollywood-China collaboration to date, WSJ reports
Matt Donnelly | December 16, 2016 @ 10:23 AM
Last Updated: December 16, 2016 @ 10:36 AM
Legendary
Forthcoming action epic “The Great Wall” ignored common safety practices and exposed star Matt Damon and crew to unregulated chemicals and pollution during production, a new report says.
The flagship film of Dalian Wanda’s $3.5 billion acquisition Legendary East was shot exclusively in China, where Beijing’s well-known pollution problem affected its marquee star, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“How do I look Matt Damon in the face when he’s the only one not wearing a mask?” an unnamed producer said of the protective gear most commonly used stateside for medical procedures.
More serious, however, are the report’s accusations of chemical exposure and lax policies regarding set construction on the $150 million film.
“You had to be a policeman,” said the film’s key grip Guy Michelett about the vigilance required on set, adding that harnesses were routinely ignored when climbing scaffolding to rig lights.
An individual close to the production told TheWrap that Michelett was not employed when shooting on “The Great Wall” commenced. It’s unclear if he was only contracted for pre-production. Michelett did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
“I nearly passed out from the fumes that came out of a spray can,” another crew member told the WSJ of the use of a chemical sealant banned on other sets.
Representatives for Dalian Wanda and Legendary East declined TheWrap’s request for comment. Damon’s reps did not immediately return a similar request.
The reported absence of these standard safety practices flies in the face of what Wanda has been trumpeting for more than a year — that it’s here to take Hollywood into the future.
The majority of “The Great Wall” was shot in China’s Qingdao region, where Wanda is building an $8.2 billion, 408-acre mega studio which will include a resort, theme park and a 5,300-seat cinema complex.
Wanda Studios Qingdao will bring standards on par with the U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration when its facilities open, an individual who works closely with WSQ said. It’s a top priority for Wanda Special Advisor and former AMPAS President Hawk Koch, the insider added.
While the complex isn’t slated for completion until 2018, an unveiling event in Los Angeles last October revealed film productions would hit the WSQ stages as early as Q1 2017, beginning with the John Boyega action sequel “Pacific Rim: Uprising.”
The company is actively trying to lure productions to the new facility with a staggering 40 percent tax rebate and a state-of-the-art experience. They’re also pledging $750 million in production funding over the next five years.
The Zhang Yimou-directed film’s problems did not end when cameras stopped rolling. An early teaser for the project did not sit well with Asian activist groups who perceived Damon’s character as a “white savior.” He plays a European hit man who fights alongside the Chinese to protect the Great Wall from CGI monsters.
The film is considered the most expensive co-financed project in the short history of Hollywood and China’s physical production dealings. Backers include Universal Pictures, Le Vision and China Film Group.
“The Great Wall” opens in North America on Feb. 17.
12 Chinese-Owned Media Companies, From Dick Clark Productions to AMC (Photos)
A firehose of Chinese investment has been flowing into Hollywood for the last few years, as Middle Kingdom firms have scooped up production companies and theater chains by the billion. And while D.C. has finally taken notice -- and is asking the government to take a closer look at foreign ownership of American content companies -- Chinese firms have already accumulated a substantial portfolio of media and entertainment-related companies often at healthy premiums. And Hollywood isn’t ready to look that gift horse in the mouth.
AMC/Carmike/Legendary/Getty Images
AMC THEATRES Owner: Dalian Wanda Group
Wanda, a real estate and entertainment conglomerate owned by China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin, made its first Hollywood splash in 2012 when the company paid $2.6 billion for AMC Entertainment, the parent of AMC Theatres, the second-largest theater chain in the U.S.
AMC Theatres
Carmike Cinemas Owner: Dalian Wanda Group
Wanda-owned AMC paid $1.2 billion to acquire Carmike Cinemas in a deal that just closed in November. The combined chain will be America’s largest theatrical exhibitor, passing former No. 1 Regal Entertainment.
Mike Kalasnik
Legendary Entertainment Owner: Dalian Wanda Group
Wanda paid $3.5 billion for the “Jurassic World” production company in January, even though Legendary lost $500 million last year, according to a Chinese regulatory filing. However, plenty of Legendary’s high-octane action and fantasy flicks have been bigger hits in China than the U.S., such as “Warcraft.”
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Dick Clark Productions Owner: Dalian Wanda Group
Wanda spent $1 billion to acquire the producer of the Golden Globes, American Music Awards and “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” The deal marks Wanda’s first foray into television after spending billions on the big screen.
Dick Clark Productions
Voltage Pictures Owner: Anhui Xinke New Materials
Anhui Xinke, a copper processing company, bought an 80 percent stake in Voltage parent Midnight Entertainment for $351 million. Voltage is the production company behind Oscar-winning films including “The Hurt Locker” and “Dallas Buyers Club.”
Voltage
STX Entertainment Owner: Hony Capital, Tencent
Independent distributor STX was founded with investments from private equity giant TPG and Chinese firm Hony Capital. The company also has a co-financing deal with China’s Huayi Bros. Media, and this year secured a strategic investment from Tencent to expand into digital content, music and virtual reality.
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World Triathlon Corporation Owner: Dalian Wanda Group
Wanda paid $650 million last year for the company that organizes the Ironman Triathlon races, folding it into its new Wanda Sports division.
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IM Global Owner: Tang Media Partners
Tang Media Partners, which has offices in Shanghai and L.A., acquired a controlling stake in Stuart Ford’s film finance firm from Indian conglomerate Reliance in June. IM Global has financed or produced more than 30 Hollywood films, including Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge.”
IM Global
Studio8 Owner: Fosun Group
Chinese conglomerate Fosun is the largest shareholder in former Warner Bros. chief Jeff Robinov’s production company, having invested $200 million in Studio8.
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Dichotomy Creative Group Owner: LeEco
Consumer tech company LeEco’s subsidiary Le Vision Pictures opened an L.A. office this year and hired former Paramount Pictures President Adam Goodman to run it and oversee a slate of English-language films. As part of the deal, LeEco acquired Goodman’s production company, Dichotomy.
Adam Goodman
Cirque du Soleil Owner: Fosun Group
It’s a Canadian circus, not a movie or TV studio, but Cirque du Soleil operates six Vegas shows, several tours and earned $845 million in revenue in 2014. Last year, TPG and Fosun acquired a majority stake in Cirque du Soleil for $1.5 billion.
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Riot Games Owner: Tencent
Tencent acquired a 93 percent stake in the video game publisher for $400 million in 2011 and acquired the remainder last December. Riot’s “League of Legends” is the most played PC game in the world.
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Firms from China have been scooping up production companies and theater chains by the billion in recent years
A firehose of Chinese investment has been flowing into Hollywood for the last few years, as Middle Kingdom firms have scooped up production companies and theater chains by the billion. And while D.C. has finally taken notice -- and is asking the government to take a closer look at foreign ownership of American content companies -- Chinese firms have already accumulated a substantial portfolio of media and entertainment-related companies often at healthy premiums. And Hollywood isn’t ready to look that gift horse in the mouth.