15 Great Movie Scenes That Nearly Killed Actors

14. Uma Thurman - Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief

For reasons unknown to the world, Pierce Brosnan decided to participate in Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief. And though the film wasn't exactly brilliant, it was a good job he did, really, as he ended up saving co-star Uma Thurman's life. Whilst waiting around in between takes on the Vancouver set, Thurman was eating her lunch at the bottom of a large hill, whilst Brosnan was filming part of a scene at the top. Brosnan noticed that some careless person had left off the handbrake on their large van and it was now careering down the hill towards Thurman. Pierce, being the gentleman he is, tried to yell to Thurman to get out of the way, but she couldn't hear, and apparently didn't notice the van hurtling towards her. Then, in a fit of what can only be described as utter bad-assery, Brosnan remembered that he was James Bond, chased down the van, jumped in and slammed on the breaks. The man is 56 and managed to chase down a van going at the speed of gravity, which is an incredible achievement, and in some way makes up for his singing in Mama Mia.
Contributor
Contributor

WhatCulture's former COO, veteran writer and editor.