Gregg Allman has asked director Randall Miller to shut down production of his biopic, “Midnight Rider”, following the death of a production assistant on the project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Allman sent Miller a personal letter asking him to not move forward with the film amid reports that the director was looking to resume shooting in Los Angeles.
“I am writing to you as one human being to another, and appealing to you from my heart,” Allman began. “I am asking you from a personal perspective not to go forward.”
“When the idea of you producing the film first came about, I was genuinely excited about the possibility of sharing my story with fans around the world. Unfortunately, all of that changed for me on Feb. 20 of this year,” he wrote. “While there may have been a possibility that the production might have resumed shortly after that, the reality of Sarah Jones’ tragic death, the loss suffered by the Jones family and injuries to the others involved has led me to realize that for you to continue production would be wrong.”
Allman continues by urging Miller to not continue out of respect for Jones, indicating he should view the situation as a human being, not a filmmaker.
“Your desires as a filmmaker should not outweigh your obligations as a human being,” Allman writes. “I am asking you to do the right thing and to set aside your attempts to resume the production out of respect for Sarah, her family and the loss that all of us feel so deeply.”
Jones was killed when she was struck by a train during filming on a narrow trestle bridge in Doctortown, Georgia, and several others were injured.
This past week, lead actor William Hurt – who was to play the present day version of the rock legend – backed out of the project.
In addition to Hurt, the film was scheduled to star Tyson Ritter - the lead singer/songwriter of the All American Rejects – as a young Gregg Allman, and Wyatt Russell as his brother Duane.
“Midnight Rider” tells the story of Gregg's journey from struggling artist through the formation and subsequent success of The Allman Brothers Band, which saw the musician succumb to the excesses of rock 'n' roll.
See also:
William Hurt quits Gregg Allman biopic
Gregg Allman cuts Australian tour short due to wrist injury
VIDEO: Eric Church covers Allman Brothers classic at Gregg Allman tribute
Gregg Allman says Allman Brothers not breaking up
Search The Allman Brothers at hennemusic
