Kate Winslet thought she died after breaking record for time spent holding breath underwater
Topics: James Cameron, Film and TV
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images/@officialavatar/X
Topics: James Cameron, Film and TV
Breaking a world record is a truly incredible feat, though you certainly don't want to risk your life in order to achieve it.
Well, Kate Winslet falls into that bracket after her starring role in the Avatar 2022 sequel The Way of Water.
Those who have watched the movie - though it is pretty obvious with the name - will know the flick is set in the ocean.
And anyone who has watched a James Cameron film will know that the director loves to take detail to the next level.
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Water is a pretty difficult one to master in films, so Cameron had the added pressure of making it work.
During the filming process, the actors in the Avatar movie had to undergo rigorous training in order to act whilst being submerged in 30 feet water tanks.
This included learning to extend the amount of time they could hold their breath underwater.
You can see where this is heading.
Winslet – who portrays Ronal, the female leader of the oceanic community – took to this training incredibly well, so much so that she managed to hold her breath for a whopping seven minutes and 14 seconds.
By doing so, the British actress broke the on-set record, toppling Tom Cruise's six minutes, which he achieved while filming Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
And if you don't believe her, well, apparently she's got the video footage to prove it.
Speaking to Total Film ahead of Avatar: The Way of Water's release in 2022, the 48-year-old said the record-breaking act didn't come without its consequences.
"I have the video of me surfacing saying, 'Am I dead, have I died?' And then going, 'What was [my time]?'" she told the outlet.
"Straight away I wanted to know my time. And I couldn’t believe it... The next thing I say is, 'We need to radio set.' I wanted Jim to know right away."
Winslet also brushed off rumors that she was made to put herself through such a physical challenge, adding: "Well, I didn't have to hold my breath for over seven minutes.
"It's just that the opportunity to set a record presented itself.
"I wanted to break my own record, which was already six minutes and 14 seconds. And I was like, 'Come on!' So I smashed my own record by a minute."
And she did it in style - and by that, we mean she did it without dying.
Some movie feat!