A French box-office smash that turned into a real-life tragedy on set
In short: Taxi 2 was a massive commercial triumph, dominating French cinemas in 2000. Yet, its production is remembered for a horrific accident during a high-speed stunt that claimed a life. Behind the high-octane thrills and record-breaking admissions lies a somber story of legal battles, safety failures, and involuntary manslaughter convictions.
Released in March 2000, Taxi 2 was the highly anticipated sequel to the 1998 original. Directed by Gérard Krawczyk, the film followed the adventures of a speed-obsessed taxi driver, Daniel, and his police officer friend, Emilien, as they attempted to rescue a Japanese minister kidnapped by the yakuza. The film was a cultural phenomenon in France, securing over 10 million admissions domestically and another 5 million internationally, cementing its status as the most-watched French film of its year.
The production, however, was marred by a fatal incident on August 16, 1999. During a complex stunt in Paris, a Peugeot 406 was intended to jump over two tanks. After an initial failed attempt, the stunt coordinator, Rémy Julienne—a veteran of 4,000 films—adjusted the ramp to increase speed and height. The second attempt went wrong; the car landed further than anticipated, striking three crew members. One individual, a 41-year-old camera operator, succumbed to his injuries shortly after, while his assistant suffered severe leg fractures.
The aftermath led to years of legal scrutiny regarding safety protocols and cost-cutting measures. In 2002, Luc Besson was summoned to court, and subsequent rulings in 2009 saw the production company, EuropaCorp, convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The court ordered the company to pay €100,000, while Julienne received a six-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay €50,000 in legal costs to the victim's family. Despite the tragedy, the film remains a notable entry in French action cinema, even spawning a video game adaptation by Ubi Soft.
Critics like the BBC's Neil Smith noted that while the film lacked significant artistic merit, it successfully delivered the high-speed excitement audiences expected. The film's success allowed for the continuation of the franchise, with Taxi 3 arriving in 2003. The legacy of the second installment remains split between its record-breaking commercial performance and the sobering reality of the risks taken during its creation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Taxi 2
- Also: Wikidata — Taxi 2 · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Taxi 2 · CC0
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