Simu Liu: Kicked in the face several times – stunts that shock!

Simu Liu: Kicked in the face several times – stunts that shock!

Hollywood is not only the place of dreams but also a stage for risky stunts and dangerous scenes. Simu Liu, known from the current blockbuster “Barbie”, recently shared a painful rollercoaster ride during the filming of his new series “The Copenhagen Test”. The 36-year-old reported that he was frequently "kicked in the face" during filming and experienced similar incidents many times. Liu described himself as "far too ambitious" and explained that since he was four years old, he has been convinced that he can do things better than others. His experience as an actor shows how dangerous the world of action cinema can be, especially when you want to perform your own stunts to make the scenes more authentic. This often leads to painful accidents, as Liu confirmed when he was also "thrown into things" while filming combat scenes.

Liu is not alone in his quest to carry out the action himself. More and more prominent actors are taking risks and performing impressive stunts. However, this poses dangers: According to an article by IBTimes, accidents on set can result in serious injuries or even fatal consequences. Hollywood history is riddled with tragic incidents in which stunt professionals and actors were injured or lost their lives. Somehow the desire for authenticity is stronger than the fear of the unknown.

The challenges behind the scenes

The filming of the series “The Copenhagen Test” in 2025 is the focus of Liu’s stories. This American sci-fi spy thriller series created by Thomas Brandon and landing on the Peacock platform is about a secret service agent whose brain has been hacked, forcing him to prove his loyalty. Liu plays the main character, supported by Melissa Barrera, who plays an important role in the series. The plot promises excitement and intrigue, which is sure to captivate viewers.

The creative mind behind the series, Thomas Brandon, has proven to be a talented creator, while James Wan is supporting the implementation as executive producer. The first two episodes of the series were directed by Jet Wilkinson, and principal photography took place in Toronto between October 2024 and March 2025. Despite the impressive preparation and safety precautions, stunts are unavoidable on set, and the challenges that await actors and crew on the job cannot be underestimated. Liu's criticism of the often risky conditions hits a sore spot in the industry, which sometimes skimps on standards for time and cost reasons.

Legal framework and security

The issue of safety on film sets is also a legal matter. Stunts seem exciting, but can also be dangerous. Personal injury law plays an important role in clarifying responsibilities and compensation for on-set injuries. Hollywood has a long list of well-known stunt accidents - from Tom Cruise's broken foot to the tragic death of stuntwoman Joi "SJ" Harris - that show just how high the risks are for actors. Safety should come first, even if time pressure and budget often come to the fore.

Some high-profile actors instinctively make sure to perform their own stunts, which increases the risk of injury. According to current discussions, legal principles and safety standards need to be further improved to increase the safety of actors and crew members. Advocacy groups such as SAG-AFTRA are actively working to establish stricter safety standards in the industry, while the future focus will be on optimizing conditions for stunt professionals.

As Simu Liu continues to work on "The Copenhagen Test" and learn from his experiences, one thing remains clear: Hollywood's glamorous facade often hides a dangerous reality behind the scenes. It's time to focus on this issue and raise more awareness about the safety of everyone involved on set. This is the only way the fascinating world of films can continue to remain safe and exciting.