'Midnight Rider' To Resume Production This Summer Following Camera Assistant's Death

Gregg Allman Biopic To Resume Production Following Camera Assistant's Death
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Actor William Hurt attends the 'Winter's Tale' world premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on February 11, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Actor William Hurt attends the 'Winter's Tale' world premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on February 11, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Following the death of a camera assistant in February, Unclaimed Freight Productions has announced that director Randall Miller wants to resume production on the Gregg Allman biopic "Midnight Rider" this summer.

The project will likely move from Georgia, where 27-year-old Sarah Jones was killed by a train while attempting to move set pieces from a railroad track, to Los Angeles. The news comes via a memo from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the union that represents technicians and craftspersons. Pre-production is set to begin in a few weeks, with shooting starting again in June.

The IATSE doesn't have the authority to prevent the film, which stars William Hurt as Allman, from re-entering production, but international vice president Michael F. Miller Jr. wrote in his memo that added security measures will be taken when overseeing the film's development.

"We have expressed our obvious concerns regarding this production starting again," the IATSE representative wrote. "We have demanded that they provide clearances from any and all governmental agencies and/or police agencies that are investigating this company and the individuals involved ... The production has also been informed, in no uncertain terms, that the Union presence on this production will be significant."

Meanwhile, whether charges will be brought against the production is soon to be determined. The Wayne County, Ga., sheriff's office investigating the incident will discuss its findings with the district attorney next week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A homicide investigation was launched in the wake of Jones' death.

Filmmakers and entertainers are still expressing their support for Jones through the Slates for Sarah campaign, which found crews dedicating their clapperboards to the late camera assistant. "Girls" executive producer Jenni Konner on Tuesday tweeted a photo of the show's stars -- Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet and Allison Williams -- posing with their homage to Jones.

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