Don Peterman, the director of photography, was listed in serious but stable condition, suffering from a leg fracture and minor head injuries, a hospital spokeswoman said. Ray de la Motte, a camera operator, was said to be in good condition, being treated for cracked ribs and bruises.
The two men were injured while preparing a crane shot at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on a location in Thousand Oaks, California, about 50 miles west of Los Angeles, according to Walt Disney Pictures, which is producing the movie. No further details regarding the accident--what exactly happened, and why--were released.
Mighty Joe Young began its projected 75-day shoot on May 22 in Hawaii. The film, starring Twister's Bill Paxton, is a retelling of the black-and-white King Kong knock-off about an African pet gorilla who, when transplanted to the U.S., grows to a monstrous size.
Paxton and the other Mighty Joe Young actors were apparently not on the set at the time of Wednesday's mishap, which occurred before shooting for the day began. Filming was suspended for the day, as well as for today, following the incident. A Disney spokeswoman said it's hoped production can resume on Monday, following the planned hiatus for the long Fourth of July weekend.
Peterman and de la Motte were admitted to Columbia Los Robles Hospital/Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. Peterman was transferred today to UCLA Medical Center to be closer to his family, Kris Carraway, a spokeswoman for Columbia Los Robles said. Both men's conditions were improving, she said.
The all-new Mighty Joe Young, directed by Ron Underwood (City Slickers) is expected to be a contender in next summer's battle of the monster movies, facing stiff (and big) competition from Tri-Star's Godzilla.