As described by director Thompson in the DVD commentary track, David Niven became severely ill after shooting sequences in a dirty pool of water underneath the cave elevator and could have died from a serious infection, remaining in the hospital for some weeks as other portions of the cave sequence were completed by the crew. However, since key scenes with Niven remained incomplete at that time, and it was doubtful whether he would be able to return to finish the film, the entire production was in jeopardy. Reshooting key scenes throughout the film with another actor, and abandoning the project to collect the insurance were contemplated. However, against the advice from his doctors, Niven felt obligated to complete his work and agreed to shoot and complete his scenes, although he relapsed and didn't recover for another seven weeks.