Shark During Filming Pulled Stuntman Underwater in Dangerous Animals

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The unique shark thriller film titled “Dangerous Animals” presents an unexpected twist: its characters are safer in the water. Directed by Sean Byrne from a script by Nick Lepard, this movie follows Zephyr, a surfer, who unwillingly becomes a prisoner on a boat run by a shark-fixated serial killer named Tucker. The chilling role of Tucker is portrayed by the Australian actor Jai Courtney, who has gained recognition for his roles in films such as “Divergent,” “Terminator Genisys,” and “Suicide Squad.

Opposite Tucker’s shark fixation, we have Zephyr, portrayed by Hassie Harrison (known for Yellowstone and Takoma FD), and Moses – a real estate agent who gets involved with Zephyr. However, things take an unexpected turn when Zephyr disappears. Moses is played by Josh Heuston, who was recently seen as Constantine Corrino in Dune: Prophecy. Joining the cast are Ella Newton (from Harrow), Liam Grienke (Latecomers), and Rob Carlton (The White Lotus).

Liam Crowley from ScreenRant had an engaging conversation with actors Jai Courtney, Hassie Harrison, and Josh Heuston about their roles in the captivating seabound thriller. In our review of Dangerous Animals, we highlight that Jai Courtney delivers a stellar performance, and he opened up about how he immersed himself into the psyche of a serial killer. Meanwhile, Harrison and Heuston shed light on the dynamic between Moses and Zephyr.

Jai Courtney Shares His Process For Understanding A Serial Killer

“I Drank A Bunch Of Beer And Then Just Tried Really Hard”

As a movie enthusiast, let me share an interesting perspective: Portraying Tucker in that film was like diving deep into the psyche of a complex character. When asked about my preparation for the role, I’d say it wasn’t as dramatic as living on a boat for six months and isolating myself from society. Instead, I’d have to admit that I spent quite a bit of time drinking beer and then put in a lot of effort to understand this wounded child character.

Courtney admitted, “I consume a lot of true crime content,” but then went deeper: “It wasn’t just about getting into the minds of these individuals because it’s entertaining. It was more about understanding the inner child and where the trauma originates from, that unhealed wound they carry. If you can grasp that, you start to see where their actions might lead. And if you can convince yourself, it’s a step towards creating something authentic for the audience as well.

Apart from being downright chilling, Tucker is equally captivating and intriguing. Courtney shared her thoughts on portraying complex characters, stating, “Playing such roles brings a sense of excitement to the set. If the script allows for some flair, it makes the scenes more engaging. This movie is indeed scary at times, but it’s also incredibly entertaining with plenty of humor. It’s refreshing and essential in providing balance – otherwise, it would be overwhelming.

Will Jai Courtney Return To The DCU As Boomerang?

The Actor Clarifies Recent Remarks Surrounding A Possible Return

In the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad,” directed by David Ayer, Jai Courtney played a significant character. He reprised his role in James Gunn’s 2021 remake of the property, but unfortunately met an untimely end just minutes into the film. Recently, Courtney hinted at a possible return for his character, stating, “I wish I hadn’t spoken so freely…James hasn’t said anything about anything yet, which might have been a bit misleading.

Courtney further explained his enthusiasm for the chance, stating, “I adored the character I portrayed, and it was hard to let him go. If there’s still more to explore with this role, I’m ready and willing.

Meet The Softer Sides Of Dangerous Animals’ Zephyr & Moses

“I Think That’s What Lets People Care”

In the thrilling series, Dangerous Animals, Hassie Harrison’s character Zephyr finds herself in a challenging predicament. Yet, she persists undaunted, reflecting her inherent resilience. As Harrison describes it, “Zephyr is naturally tough.” Although we don’t delve much into her background, it’s evident that she was raised in foster homes and didn’t experience much love early on. This explains why she keeps emotional barriers up – a testament to the hardships she has faced throughout her life.

Simultaneously, I aimed to add a touch of vulnerability to her character as well: “In addition, I believed it was crucial to show her sensitive side. The scene where Zephyr and Moses are together in front of the cars, revealing her softness and kindness beneath the tough exterior, is something I’m particularly proud of. I believe that’s what makes people empathize with her.”

In terms of compassion, it’s clear that Moses, portrayed by Josh Heuston, deeply cares for Zephyr to the point where he’s willing to jeopardize everything in order to aid her escape from Tucker. The actor explained this emotional investment, saying, “I believe Moses acts primarily from his heart.” Playing the character meant following that emotion and his intuition. “He falls in love, and it happens swiftly for him, particularly for Hassie,” he added, emphasizing that this quick infatuation formed the foundation of his performance.

Dangerous Animals Really Did Work With Dangerous Animals

“One Of Our Stunt Guys Got Pulled Underwater”

In the production of Dangerous Animals, they primarily employed shark footage to generate an intimidating visual ambiance (for further details, check out our interview with Sean Byrne). However, it doesn’t imply that actual sharks were absent during filming. As Hassie Harrison disclosed, “It might not be common knowledge, but while they were submerging him in the water, one of our stunt performers was unexpectedly dragged underwater by a bull shark.

Josh Heuston affirmed, “Yes,” and added, “The seal lost its flipper.” He went on to recount his encounter, stating, “Next, I found myself being pulled back onto the boat. I was puzzled, as no one had explained the situation to me.

Also check out our interview with Dangerous Animals director Sean Byrne.

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2025-06-07 02:10