Two cast members of Netflix show ‘The Chosen One’ die in crash in Mexico
Two actors from the upcoming Netflix series “The Chosen One” were killed and six others who were part of the cast and crew were injured after the truck they crashed in crashed near Mulegé on the peninsula Baja California Sur in Mexico.
The accident did not happen on the set of the show, but happened during transit from Santa Rosalia to the local airport on June 16, Netflix said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Local media reported the accident on Thursday and said the truck overturned after running off the road in a desert area. The crew appeared to be working in the nearby Santa Rosalia area at the time.
The two actors killed in the crash were identified Friday as Raymundo Garduño Cruz and Juan Francisco González Aguilar, according to the Baja California Department of Culture.
Netflix describes the plot of “The Chosen One” as a series about a 12-year-old boy who learns that he is the return of Jesus Christ and is “destined to save mankind.” It is based on a comic book series by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. It is not related to another show featured on the streaming service with the same name. That performance was attended by three doctors aiming to bring the Zika vaccine to the remote Pantanal region of South America.
Millar, who previously worked at Marvel Comics, created properties like Kingsman and Kick-Ass – as well as the “American Jesus” comics on which “The Chosen One” is based – and founded Millarworld. Netflix acquires the companyrun by Millar and his wife, Lucy, in 2017. The following year, announced streaming company plans to produce a television series based on “American Jesus,” among other projects.
Production of the show has been temporarily halted by Redrum, the production company.
Friends of the victims have expressed concerns to Daily Monster about the “Chosen One” actors’ complaints regarding poor shipping and logistics.
“I am outraged that there are reports of abuse and exploitation being shared by those involved in the production,” said Liliana Conlisk Gallegos, who said she is friends with González Aguilar, known for nicknamed “Paco Mufote,” told the Daily Beast. “I would like to request that this be investigated further. If nothing goes wrong, there should be no problem with providing information.”
Netflix did not comment on the allegations, noting that an investigation into the crash is ongoing.
On Twitter, actor and director Fernando Bonilla said that Garduño Cruz was “a festive and generous friend.”
This person wrote about the accident: “The production report is required as to how many hours the driver who lost control of the truck has been given a break to rest.
Contribution: Associated Press.
Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.