Daniel Radcliffe Recalls Terrifying Near-Drowning Filming Harry Potter

Daniel Radcliffe recently recounted a harrowing near-drowning experience while training for underwater scenes in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. The actor mistakenly removed his diving regulator without taking a proper breath first during a training exercise. He revealed the production averaged a mere five seconds of usable underwater footage per day over a six-week shoot. Radcliffe also reflected on the upcoming HBO series and staying in touch with his former co-stars.

Key Points: Daniel Radcliffe's Near-Drowning in Harry Potter Filming

  • Near-drowning during dive training
  • Mistake during mask-clearing exercise
  • Filmed only seconds of footage per day
  • Stunt coordinator's blunt reassurance
  • Reflects on new HBO adaptation
2 min read

Daniel Radcliffe recounts near-drowning incident while filming 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Daniel Radcliffe reveals a scary near-drowning incident during underwater filming for 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' on Hot Ones.

"I remember I took the thing out once, and I was like, didn't breathe. Don't have any breath to clear this when I get it back on. - Daniel Radcliffe"

Washington DC, February 20

Actor Daniel Radcliffe recently opened up about a frightening near-drowning experience while filming underwater scenes for the 2005 film 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', according to People.

During an appearance on the popular talk show Hot Ones, hosted by Sean Evans, the 36-year-old actor was asked about "close calls" on set.

Radcliffe recalled undergoing intensive dive training for the film's underwater sequences, which took six weeks to complete. Describing a tense moment during a mask-clearing exercise, he said he mistakenly removed his regulator without taking a proper breath beforehand.

"We were doing mask-clearing exercises, a very basic thing for learning to dive," he said. "You take a deep breath, and you take the regulator out and then when you put it back in, you gotta keep that breath because you go to blow the air out," according to People.

The actor admitted he realised too late that he had not inhaled before removing the regulator. "I remember I took the thing out once, and I was like, didn't breathe. Don't have any breath to clear this when I get it back on," he said, adding that he signalled to be brought to the surface.

Radcliffe said stunt coordinator Greg Powell later reassured him in his own way. "He looked at me in the way that only he could and said, 'Well, you won't make that mistake again!' And I was like, 'Oh, absolutely right'," according to People.

The actor also reflected on the demanding shoot schedule, revealing that the production averaged only a few seconds of usable underwater footage per day. "We filmed for six weeks. I've heard it quoted that we averaged five seconds of usable footage per day," he said, adding that it was an experience he would not want to repeat.

Radcliffe played the titular role in the original eight-film Harry Potter series from 2001 to 2011.

He recently spoke about the upcoming HBO television adaptation set in the Wizarding World, which will feature a new cast portraying the iconic trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Radcliffe shared that he has been in touch with his former co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and that they have reflected on how surreal it feels to see a new generation embark on the journey years later, according to People.

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The Goblet of Fire underwater scenes were iconic! Had no idea the effort was this intense. Makes you appreciate the film even more. The stunt coordinator's comment is so typical of a tough-love mentor, haha.
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Aman W
Safety protocols on film sets, especially for stunts involving water or heights, need to be absolutely foolproof. Glad he was okay, but this highlights the risks. Hope the new HBO series takes even more precautions.
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Sarah B
As someone who learned scuba diving in Goa, I can totally relate to that panic moment during mask-clearing! It's a basic skill but so easy to mess up if you're nervous. Takes real guts to do it on camera.
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Vikram M
Wow, 5 seconds of usable footage per day after 6 weeks of work? That's the definition of "hard work pays off". The Harry Potter movies are a part of our childhood. Can't imagine anyone else as Harry, but curious about the new series.
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Kavya N
While it's a harrowing story, part of me feels this kind of behind-the-scenes content is shared a bit too often now. Sometimes the magic is in not knowing how difficult it was. Just a thought!

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