Nicolas Cage's latest movie is already a smash hit in New York. And that's bad news.
A car chase stunt sequence for the Oscar winner's new flick, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, went awry last night in Times Square, with a vehicle careening into a pizza parlor and injuring two bystanders.
According to the New York City Film Commission, the accident occurred around 1 a.m. as a Ferrari darted down Seventh Avenue trying keep pace with a Mercedes. The Ferrari's stunt driver ended up losing control and hydroplaning onto a sidewalk before plowing into the entrance of a Sbarro.
Although the street had been closed for filming and members of the NYPD movie/TV unit were present, plenty of pedestrians were watching the action unfold—some too close for comfort...
"The Ferrarri took a sharp right to the left and lost it, swerving across the lanes, taking out a lamppost and a newsstand," British tourist Mark Watkins, who was stationed atop bleachers at the new TKTS booth, told the New York Post,. "One lady was knocked to the ground and a lamppost landed directly on top of a chap."
A spokesman for producer Jerry Bruckheimer Films issued a statement indicating both victims were taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries but are OK.
"On-site production medics responded immediately and two pedestrians were taken to the hospital for evaluation. One person has been released and while we were told the second person was also released we have not been able to confirm that," said the rep. "All safety regulations were followed and second unit filming will continue as planned."
No word whether Cage was on set at the time of the mishap.
Aside from the bystanders, the Ferrari also took out a communications pole, a newspaper box and the Sbarro's window. Shooting is expected to continue tonight and tomorrow, weather permitting, though if the roads are slick, the scene will not be allowed to proceed.
Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice puts a live-action spin on the Mouse House's classic cartoon segment from Fantasia. Reuniting with his National Treasure director, Jon Turteltaub, the 45-year-old Cage plays a wizard who leaves his workshop in the hands of a college student. It's slated to be released next summer.
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