A British stuntman and actor is taking legal action against a company involved in the production of Gladiator II, alleging he suffered severe burns and permanent scarring during a filming accident involving a burning ship.

Edward Sarsfield, 47, from Liverpool, was portraying a dead soldier in a scene shot in Morocco in 2023 when a gas line used for special effects exploded, engulfing him in flames, according to court documents filed at London's High Court.

The claim states that Sarsfield was positioned just feet away from the gas line when the explosion occurred without warning. He saw flames reaching 20 feet high and felt intense heat as his costume caught fire. He recalled seeing strips of skin peeling from his arms. In panic, he ran and fell several times before escaping the flames. Colleagues threw water bottles on him, undressed him, and applied clingfilm to his burns.

Sarsfield sustained flash burns to about 15% of his body, including his face, arms, and hands, as well as injuries to both knees and his right wrist. He was airlifted to a hospital in Marrakesh, where he remained in excruciating pain and received limited treatment. Four days later, he was repatriated to the UK for further medical care.

The legal claim describes Sarsfield as formerly a man of considerable physical prowess who has since suffered significant physical de-conditioning, with limited mobility and psychological symptoms. It also notes that he has permanent, hypersensitive scarring and must avoid sun exposure.

Sarsfield is suing August Street Films, a subsidiary of Paramount, seeking £200,000 in damages. The company's defense admits liability for the accident but does not admit to the alleged injuries or the requested damages amount.

In a statement released in 2023, a Paramount spokesperson confirmed that several crew members were injured during a planned stunt sequence, but described their injuries as non-life-threatening. The spokesperson emphasized that safety and medical teams acted quickly, and that the well-being of cast and crew is of utmost importance, with strict health and safety procedures in place.

Gladiator II, directed by Sir Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, was released in 2024 as a sequel to the 2000 hit film starring Russell Crowe.

Sarsfield, August Street Films, and Paramount have declined to comment further on the ongoing legal case.