Crew Member Dies on Uni's "The Kingdom"

[posted by Sheigh]

Universal Pictures production execs, Michael Mann and Jamie Foxx must feel like they're carrying a curse. Following the shooting death of a security guard on the set of Mann's and Uni's "Miami Vice," another young man has died on the set of Uni's' "The Kingdom."

The film's story, developed by Mann, centers on Foxx as government agent sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East.

Here's the official statement from "The Kingdom's" unit publicist:

MESA, AZ. — A vehicular accident on the Mesa, Arizona location for the Universal Pictures film “The Kingdom” resulted in the death of one of the company’s crew members.

Nick Papac, 25, of Los Angeles, an assistant propmaster on the film’s 2nd unit crew, died from severe head injuries suffered when his Gator all-terrain vehicle crashed into one of the company’s SUVs after filming had concluded on Saturday, August 12.  Two other crew members onboard the golf-cart like transport were uninjured in the crash, as was the driver of the SUV, Francis Kaeo, and his passenger, director Peter Berg, who also witnessed the incident firsthand.

The tragedy occured on the North 202/Red Mountain Freeway at approximately 6:00 pm on Saturday afternoon (the two-mile stretch of highway was closed to regular traffic between Power and Higley Roads for the weekend for the film production).  After company paramedics immediately attended to the victim, he was helicoptered to Scottsdale-Osborn Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries about three hours later. Mr. Papac’s father, Mike Papac, a longtime Hollywood propmaster, immediately flew to Mesa, and was with his son at the time of his death.

“It is with profound sadness that we confirm Nick’s passing,” said director Peter Berg at a gathering of the entire film crew on Sunday morning.  “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.” Mr. Berg, who was at the hospital with the victim on Saturday evening, also praised the heroic efforts of the company medic, Tony Evans, who instantaneously responded to Mr. Papac’s injuries before the Medivac chopper arrived moments later.

Filming of the movie was suspended on Sunday, August 13. After a three-day break (which includes the company’s weekend days of Monday-Tuesday), the company will resume production on Wednesday, August 16.

“The Kingdom,” a contemporary thriller set in the Middle East, stars Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman.  The Universal Pictures/Forward Pass production is being produced by Michael Mann and Scott Stuber and directed by Peter Berg.  Principal photography concludes on location in Arizona around October 1.