Zazie Beetz on Deadpool sequel stuntwoman's death

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Untitled Deadpool Sequel star Zazie Beetz says the death of stuntwoman Joi “SJ” Harris shocked the movie’s set. On Aug. 14, 2017, Harris, who was hired to stunt-double for the mutant mercenary Domino, played by Beetz, died on set while attempting a motorcycle stunt. It was the first time Harris — a barrier-breaking road racer — had ever worked as a stuntwoman.

“It was her first day on set and nobody really knows what happened,” Beetz tells EW. “People were very, very affected by it — especially the stunt team, whom I’d worked a lot with. They were very upset by it because they want to protect the people that they’re working with. And in this case, that didn’t happen. It was a really sad time.”

Beetz — who stars on season 2 of Atlanta (March 1 on FX) — never met Harris but says, “I felt like she was part of the Domino team and story. I hope people continue to remember her as someone who really pushed a lot of boundaries — being the first black woman to be professionally engaged in motorcycle racing. I hope that’s her legacy.”

Directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Reynolds, Untitled Deadpool Sequel hits theaters May 18, 2018.