Director Randall Miller, currently on probation following his conviction for a fatal accident on the set of “Midnight Rider,” has been awarded $1.5 million in California state tax incentives for his upcoming independent feature, “Supercrip.”
The film, which centers on a quadriplegic Uber driver who has his life upended by a self-absorbed movie star, has secured tax credits to aid its production. Although Miller is barred from directing due to his probation conditions, he has written the screenplay. No director has been assigned to the project yet.
Filming for “Supercrip” is slated to commence on March 1, contingent on finalizing financing. Miller’s probation, set to end on March 9, will lift the restrictions on his professional activities. Until then, Miller is prohibited from directing or taking on roles that involve safety responsibilities on set.
Miller’s legal troubles began in 2015 when he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. He was held responsible for a tragic accident involving a freight train while setting up a shot on a bridge near Jesup, Georgia, which resulted in Jones’s death and injuries to six others. Following his plea deal, Miller served a year in jail and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
Efforts to modify his probation terms, including attempts to reduce his sentence and disputes over his directing activities, have been unsuccessful. In 2020, Miller faced potential probation revocation for directing a film in Serbia, which was ultimately released under the title “Coffee Wars” in 2023. Despite his apology, Judge Anthony L. Harrison warned Miller to avoid any directorial roles.
Miller has sought to end his probation early or have it reviewed by a different judge, but these petitions have been denied. Richard Jones, Sarah Jones’s father, has expressed his desire for Miller to fully accept his punishment, a sentiment the court has supported.
Miller’s wife, Jody Savin, is producing “Supercrip,” which will film in Orange County and San Diego. Toby Forrest, a disabled actor and winner of the Christopher Reeve Acting Award, will star as the quadriplegic Uber driver. Forrest emphasized the film’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the industry, highlighting the opportunities the tax credit will create for underrepresented groups.
The production is set to hire 85 crew members and is projected to have approximately $5.7 million in below-the-line costs.
