“The Film Set was a Powder Keg”: Mark Ruffalo Sued Over Filming New HBO Miniseries
Mark Ruffalo, who is best known for playing Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for performances in films like 13 Going on 30, Zodiac, and Shutter Island, took on the role of identical twins in Derek Cianfrance’s 2020 miniseries. I Know This Much Is True, based on Wally Lamb’s 1998 novel of the same name, followed Dominick and Thomas Birdsey’s parallel lives and addressed the treatment of mental illness while also touching on issues of betrayal and forgiveness.
I Know This Much Is True was finally greenlit in October 2018, with shooting finishing a year later, and while the series went on to be a hit for HBO, the filming process was not without some challenges. A fire allegedly destroyed film equipment, as well as the building and many automobiles, on the set of a used car shop in Ellenville, NY in May of 2019. Filming was suspended at the moment, and it was claimed that the dealership’s owners had sued the production firm involved.
Mark Ruffalo sued over the 2019 fire at the shooting location
Residents who live near the dealership are also suing HBO, according to TMZ, saying that the fire-damaged their houses and exposed them to deadly pollutants and carcinogens. The filming location was described as a “‘uncovered and unabated debris pile,'” according to the lawsuit, which also names executive producer Mark Ruffalo. “The film set was a powder keg due to kerosene, heating oil, and other flammable materials being stored at the filming location,” the locals said.
Ruffalo, who just appeared in the Netflix blockbuster The Adam Project and recently joined Bong Joon Ho’s newest film, has not yet commented on the case, but according to TMZ, neighbors are “seeking millions in damages.” I Know This Much Is True was a career-boosting production for the actor, as it allowed him to demonstrate his ability to play two very different personas on television. Ruffalo received his second Emmy Award nomination and the first victory for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his portrayal of brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
Given that the lawsuit’s news is still breaking, it may take some time to see how HBO and/or Ruffalo respond. Because the residents are seeking financial retaliation, the case’s outcome may or may not be made public as it progresses. Fans of Mark Ruffalo’s acclaimed performances and fans of I Know This Much Is True will have to wait for further specifics as the narrative progresses.
Source – TVZ
