Biography

The Triwizard Tournament

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead, Harry. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right... and what is easy." (Albus Dumbledore).

Even before the release of Prisoner of Azkaban, production had begun in the spring of 2004 on the next film, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mona Lisa Smile), this film promised to be the most exciting installment yet. Since 'Goblet' was a highly action packed thriller that centers on an elaborate contest know as the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the physical requirements were much tougher this time around. For a scene taking place during the second task of the Tournament, Dan actually had to learn to scuba-dive and then act underwater. During the battle with the dragon, Dan’s stunts included a 50 foot drop off a rocky embankment.

And to insure that 'Goblet' is the ultimate action thriller, Harry has to bleed! Dan admits that "there is even blood flowing!" But he reassures his fans with a well placed quip and a grin:

"Of course it´s not my own, but film blood! However, I did cut my fingers on a page of the script. That hurt like hell!"

Aside from the action, there are also fresh acting opportunities for Dan as he endures a long feud with his best friend, seeks a date for the Yule Ball, learns to dance and faces his resurrected nemesis. On the awkwardness of a boy’s first crush, he jokes that “when I was 14, you know, I was slightly better than Harry but not much… when I was with a girl, I had to say really clever things and the more you try to be clever, the more chance you have of looking stupid!”

About a climactic scene in which Harry hands over the body of a fellow contestant to the boy's father after battling his mortal foe, Lord Voldemort, Dan says:

"I had to tap into emotions that I personally never felt, that most people have never felt. Because they were challenging, it does make them fun."

The fourth movie in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", released on 18 November 2005 was another rousing success with the young stars holding their own in scenes with some of the UK’s leading actors including Ralph Fiennes and Brendon Gleeson. The movie outperformed the 2nd and 3rd films in the series to bring in nearly $900 million at the box office placing it at number seven on the all time box office total worldwide