British actress Kate Beckinsale has filed a lawsuit against Anton Entertainment and producer John Zois, accusing them of negligence and endangerment during the filming of the 2024 Prime Video action movie Canary Black.
According to the amended complaint filed on May 21, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Beckinsale claims she was repeatedly exposed to unsafe working conditions during production, which took place between late 2022 and early 2023. The actress alleges that the shoot resulted in severe physical injury, including a complex meniscus tear in her left knee, requiring surgery and causing significant delays in production.
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Allegations of Negligence and Unsafe Work Environment
The legal documents detail a series of concerns raised by Beckinsale and her team, including:
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Extended filming days often exceeding 15 hours
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Lack of adequate safety equipment and medical personnel
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Insufficient notice before performing physically demanding stunts
Despite numerous warnings, the producers allegedly continued filming under hazardous conditions in order to maintain profit margins, ignoring the actress’s safety and the medical advice of her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jason Snibbe. The surgeon advised against any activities involving running, jumping, suspension harnesses, squatting, or kicking — warnings that were reportedly disregarded.
Escalating Health Complications
The complaint outlines that Beckinsale was coerced into performing additional action sequences that further aggravated her injury. Internal communications between her agent, Shani Rosenzweig, and producer John Zois reveal serious concerns.
In one email, Rosenzweig stated,
“If you’re trying to kill a person, you’re doing a great job.”
Zois reportedly acknowledged the problem, responding,
“You’re right. We need to shorten these days.”
However, the lawsuit claims that despite these admissions, production continued under the same dangerous conditions.
Legal Ramifications and Industry Implications
Initially filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe in December 2024, the amended complaint reveals Beckinsale’s identity and includes direct evidence such as email threads and injury documentation.
The lawsuit raises broader questions about industry practices, particularly in high-budget action films where safety protocols are allegedly sacrificed in favor of deadlines and profit. Beckinsale’s legal action may serve as a pivotal case for how actors’ safety is managed on set.
