The Toronto effects company, Acme FX, has been fined $110,000 in Canadian dollars for the death of Warren Appleby, a special effects coordinator for the DC series Titans, who was killed while working on a pre-production setup on the show, according to Deadline. Appleby died on the morning of July 18, 2019, when he was struck by a piece of metal after equipment burst, at age 45.
Acme FX was fined the $110,000 plus a 25% victim fine surcharge, which will equate to approximately $109,000 US dollars, by The Ontario Court of Justice on February 22nd. This came after the company entered a guilty plea in provincial court under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for not ensuring “the machine, device, tool or equipment is in good condition,” per Deadline.
Ontario’s Ministry of Labor quickly started an investigation into the incident, which led to the charges and guilty plea, according to Deadline.
Warner Bros., which produces Titans, released a statement at the time of Appleby’s death, per Deadline:
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of our treasured colleague, special effects coordinator Warren Appleby, after an accident which occurred at a special effects facility during the preparation and testing for an upcoming shoot,” Warner Bros. said.
Acme FX also released a statement at the time, remembering the special effects coordinator fondly.
“Warren was a beloved business partner, leader, mentor, friend and brother to many in our community, and a loving husband and father to his wife and children,” said Acme FX, per Deadline. “He will be remembered for his quick humour, strong leadership, care and compassion for his crew and — above all else — his devotion to his family. Words cannot express how dearly he will be missed.”
Appleby was also known for working the same role on The Shape Of Water, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2018. He also worked on Theo James’ (Divergent) How It Ends and Jude Law’s (Sherlock Holmes) Repo Men. He was remembered in the credits of It: Chapter Two with a “In Loving Memory” credit.
A GoFundMe page for Appleby’s family is still active today.