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Steve Carell has revealed that he got the jitters before performing the hangman illusion in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
The US funnyman, who portrays magician Burt Wonderstone in the comedy, had to execute the trick with Steve Buscemi (who plays his sidekick Anton Marvelton), which involves them swapping places in the gallows on stage.
The actor admitted that being kept in the dark heightened his fears, saying: "The scariest thing about it was the sound of the gallows and the rope coming down. I was covered with a mask and a bag over my head and couldn't see.
"I felt someone positioning me and making sure I wasn't off-centre or I could crack my head on the side. It was very precise. But afterwards we were so happy with how good it looked. It was worth all the apprehension."
Renowned illusionist David Copperfield supported them throughout filming, serving as a consultant. He also made a cameo as himself.
"He was really supportive. He and his team designed the hangman trick for the movie. We had to sign forms that we wouldn't divulge how the trick was accomplished. And I just think that frankly is the coolest thing, that I'm sworn to secrecy by David Copperfield," he said.
"To just pull the curtain back a little bit was really fun and it was nice. He would show up on set on days that he had nothing to do. He would just show up and watch and enjoy. He kinda loved it, I got the sense."
Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey and Steve Buscemi also star in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, which opens in cinemas on March 15.
