A CROC AND BULL STORY
CLAIMS MOVIE A ‘HOAX’
IT appears to boast the Thorsome star power of Chris Hemsworth and US comic Danny McBride, but there’s growing speculation that the looming Crocodile Dundee movie is just a massive Super Hoax.
When Aussie megastar and Tourism Australia ambassador Hemsworth was announced as the next big name to sign on to the mysterious new instalment to Paul Hogan’s franchise yesterday, it was met with more speculation than celebration.
Days after McBride was revealed for the role of the croc hunter’s son Brian in Crocodile Dundee: The Son Of A Legend Returns Home, the Avengers hunk appeared in a new teaser for the film, playing Wally Jr, son of the original Dundee’s business partner Walter ‘Wally’ Reilly, played by John Meillon in the first two films.
But film buffs are already questioning the movie’s legitimacy, suggesting the project is not a movie, but rather a stunt campaign ahead of the NFL Super Bowl on February 4.
Hemsworth’s role as a Tourism Australia ambassador has fuelled the speculation, following on from Hogan’s legendary “Shrimp on the Barbie” campaign which sold Australia to the US in the 1980s.
Other clues suggesting the film is a total croc include the fact that no one associated with the film, cast, crew, or production are following the film’s official social media channels.
McBride, who is busy filming a Halloween sequel, and Hemsworth are also both yet to post about the film or its production on social media.
Also raising suspicion is the fact that the listed director of the film on IMDB, Steve Rogers, is actually an advertising executive.
While two teaser trailers feature both McBride and Hemsworth and an official website, social media accounts, and a gallery of photos from the shoot have been released, it hasn’t stopped the sceptics.
That’s despite Hogan telling People magazine about the project (below): “I’m excited to introduce the new Crocodile Dundee to the world and look forward to sharing more news about those involved very soon.”
But when quizzed on their involvement in the film, a Screen Australia spokesman said producers had asked for all media inquiries to go through the film directly. Tourism Australia did not respond to requests for comment.