Cricket stars on Dundee wish list

FILM investors including our former cricket stars could be willing to be involved in a new Crocodile Dundee film with its spoof pre-publicity already assuring its success and them the riches.

At the height of World Series Cricket and through Paul Hogan’s association with Channel 9, a number of then stars including Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh invested in the original 1986 Crocodile Dundee film.

The film had a budget of $7 million and went on to take $300 million from the worldwide box office and spawn two sequels. Greg Chappell said yesterday he would be keen to again invest.

“It was a very successful movie, we did well, royalties that rolled through for quite a few years so if I could find another one of the same ilk, I would be very happy to get involved,” he said.

“It was a great experience. Not that I knew much about movies but you had a fair idea just with Hoges and the way he was regarded in Australia at the time that the worst you’d do would be to get your money back. With a bit of luck you might make some money.

“It was a very successful movie investment. I saw the original script and when you read the script you couldn’t help but think it was going to have appeal but I never got the chance to go on set.”

Rod Marsh did not think he would invest again but said he loved the experience of being involved in the first one.

He said he was convinced to invest in the original by John Cornell’s brother, who was his local chemist.

“It was a fantastic experience but I knew the people involved and I don’t know who would be involved in this one therefore I wouldn’t be interested,” he said.

INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence and then Channel 9 boss Kerry Packer were also among the 1400 people who invested in the original film.

The founder of one of the world’s largest movie investment agencies the Angel Investment Network that links cashed-up entrepreneurs with industry ideas and start-ups said the Aussie film franchise would attract a lot of interest if it progressed. LOW PRICE POINTS LOW PRICE LOW PRICE