Martin Scorsese has been left "shocked and saddened" after a man died on the set of his new movie Silence. A contractor was killed and two further individuals injured when a ceiling collapsed during pre-production at the Chinese Culture and Movie Center.

Martin ScorseseMartin Scorsese's movie began shooting in Taiwan on Friday

Independent contractors had been hired to "make safe" a building that had been deemed unstable. It was during the work that the accident occurred.

"Everyone is in shock and sorrow and expresses their deepest concern and sympathy to the families of the individual who died and those who were injured," a statement made to Deadline read.

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A spokesperson added that the incident will not affect the shooting schedule on the movie, which is due to begin today ahead of a 2016 release date.

The movie stars Liam Neeson, Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield and focuses on the Portugese Jesuits persecuted in isolated areas of 17th century Japan. The historical drama is an adaptation of Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel of the same name, widely considered to be his masterpiece.

Scorsese has previously said that Silence would be a "suspenseful film with elements of a thriller."

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The movie only confirmed its funding around a week ago and will be released domestically by Paramount. Fábrica de Cine and SharpSword will fund the movie, which is likely to be a contender at the major awards ceremonies come early 2016.

"I've wanted to make Silence for almost two decades, and it is finally a reality," said Scorsese, "It is heartening to have adventurous partners like Fabrica and SharpSword to work with on this picture."