Ford v Ferrari producer Lucas Foster is spotted flouting social distancing rules on set in Sydney

Hollywood producer Lucas Foster has denied flouting social distancing rules with crew on set of his new horror film on the outskirts of Sydney.  

Lucas – who is known for movies including Ford v Ferrari and Mr and Mrs Smith – was seen on location on Wednesday at a corn filed in Richmond, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He is working on an adaptation of Stephen King’s Children of the Corn and had reportedly been given permission to shoot the project providing he abide by NSW’s strict regulations.  

In a statement made to Daily Mail Australia, the film’s production team explained:  ‘We have worked tirelessly to reconfigure the shooting schedule and implement a host of health and safety measures, which have been reviewed by Safe Work NSW to ensure compliance. 

‘The news media are using extreme telephoto lenses, which gives the false impression that our crew appear closer together than they actually are.

‘As a workplace, we want to keep people employed as long as we can safely, as the Government has implored businesses to do. As soon as we can no longer keep our cast and crew safe, we will of course pause production.’ 

Lucas cut a casual figure as he walked around the set, wearing khaki trousers, a black T-shirt and a cap and sunglasses. 

Despite the threat of COVID-19, Lucas skipped wearing a face mask and worked with crew nearby on set. 

The crew performed a film test in the corn field, with filming believed to have begun on Thursday.

The Daily Telegraph reported this week that Lucas had been given permission to continue shooting despite the global health crisis, as long as he agreed to abide to the social-distancing rules. 

A spokesperson from Screen NSW told the publication earlier this week that ‘production has significantly reduced its cast and crew size and is implementing health and safety protocols in line with Government restrictions for workplaces.’ 

They added: ‘Screen NSW has worked with Safework NSW to review the production’s protocols and has provided feedback to the production on required amends to align with current guidelines.’ 

The publication reported that some crew members had resigned over COVID-19 fears. 

In NSW, residents have been told to stay in their homes in lockdown unless they are out for food, exercise, medical reasons, or travelling for work or education. 

There is also a two-person gathering limit across the state.