The Flying Wallendas won't be held down. The family of tightrope walkers is making a comeback in a big way: Taking on Times Square.
The acrobatic brood suffered a near-tragedy in 2017 when Lijana Wallenda was injured after a fall in Sarasota, Fla., where the family lives.
“She broke every bone in her face,” Nik Wallenda recalled to the New York Post. “She has 73 screws in her face alone. She still has pain in her heel. This is something she almost feels that she has to do. I think people will be inspired just to see her get back on the wire. Just to move on with life.”
WALLENDA FAMILY PERFORMERS HURT IN CIRCUS TIGHTROPE FALL, CALL IT 'TRAGIC ACCIDENT'
A high-wire crosses Times Square, Thursday, June 20, 2019 in New York. Performers Nik and Lijana Wallenda will cross Times Square on the high wire on Sunday. (AP)
Nik, 40, and Lijana, 42, will team up to tightrope-walk across five city blocks in Times Square on Sunday night. Lijana will start on one end walking uphill, while Nik will meet her in the middle from the other end, walking downhill, which he told the Post was "more uncomfortable."
Upon meeting in front of the Viacom building at 1515 Broadway, Nik says, “She’ll sit down on the wire. And I will step over her and we’ll change places. After I step over her, she’ll get back up and continue walking.”
DAREDEVIL RIDES BIKE ON HIGH-WIRE OVER NEW JERSEY
Though there won't be a safety net, which Nik previously said gives "a false sense of security" while practicing, the duo will be equipped with safety harnesses in case of a fall.
Aerialist Nik Wallenda talks with the media about his planned high-wire act, Thursday, June 20, 2019 in New York. Wallenda and his sister Lijana will cross Times Square on a high wire on Sunday. He is holding a cable similar to the one that will stretch across the square. (AP)
Nik told the Post he was a bit concerned with the“engineering issues and stabilizing issues” in the Big Apple leading up to the event. “We have a power cable at 1568 Broadway that wasn’t there a week before," he admitted. "The city changes every single day. It becomes very challenging. I have eyes all over the place to make sure the walk is done properly and safely.”
LATEST FLYING WALLENDA SAYS HE'S LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
The Wallendas come from a long line of stunt performers.
Patriarch Karl Wallenda died in a fall during a stunt in 1978 in Puerto Rico. Two other family members reportedly died decades ago while performing.
Nik Wallenda successfully crossed the Little Colorado River Gorge near the Grand Canyon in 2013, which was televised by the Discovery Channel. In 2012, Nik became the first person to cross the brink of Niagara Falls, for which he used a safety tether.
TERRIFYING VIDEO SHOWS WALLENDA FAMILY MEMBERS FALLING TO FLOOR IN PRACTICE STUNT GONE WRONG
The Wallendas trace their roots to 1780 in Austria-Hungary, when their ancestors traveled as a band of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, animal trainers and a bit later, trapeze artists.
Though the Wallendas love their work, Nik says he knows he won't do it forever.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“By 55, I’ll be done,” he told the Post. “My mom was about to turn 70 and said, ‘I expect to do a walk with you.’ I think I’ll retire before I get to that age for safety concerns. In 10 years, I’ll be ready to pass the torch. My sons are great wire walkers but the eldest, Yanni, is in the Marines. He’s 21. Amadeos is 18, but he goes into the Army on July 5.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trending
Fox News Entertainment
Get a daily look at the top news in music, movies, television and more in the entertainment industry.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.