Hagrid's stunt double shares an alarming memory of filming the second movie

There are many things that can go wrong on a film set and that is often the reason for multiple takes or reworking a scene to prevent accidents. A recent interview with Hagrid's stunt double reveals the problem on the set of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

"Accidentally almost killed"

Martin Bayfield is a former rugby player, but you may recognize him as young Hagrid in the flashbacks to the first time the Chamber of Secrets was opened. According to MetroNews, he was also a stand-in for Hagrid. "Martin can be seen - but not really - in far-away sots and full-body appearances where the character's face isn't visible, stepping into enhanced heels, a fatsuit, and animatronics to bring the towering half-giant to life."

Verne Troyer played Griphook and was ideal for the role of a diminutive character as he had cartilage-hair hypoplasia. Naturally,, the two characters were physically very different and this created a problem one day.

Speaking of Troyer, Martin said, "He was only about two foot and I nearly killed him. I stepped backwards and I heard this little yelp, and I pretty much trod on him." Bayfield cites the limited vision for the mishap, since he had "no peripheral vision at all."

Troyer was known or his many roles that could only be performed by someone of his size. When he passed away in 2018, it was said on his Instagram account that "Verne was an extremely caring individual [who] wanted to make everyone smile, be happy and laugh." It's likely that he didn't hold this run-in against the actor filling the shoes of someone described as "too big to be allowed." The statement from 2018 went on to say that "He inspired people around the world with his drive, determination, and attitude." Mike Myers, who starred alongside Troyer in the Austin Powers series, commented that Verne was "A Fantastic human being" and remarked that Verne brought a character "up off the page, made it better than written, and we ended up giving him more and more stuff to do."

We're grateful that both actors were part of the film adaptations that brought the Harry Potter series to life.