NOW SHOWING

MOVIE: Chasing Comets STARRING: Dan Ewing, Isabel Lucas, Katrina Risteska, John Batchelor

RATING: PG

REVIEWER: David Riccio

ACTOR Dan Ewing jokes that when he received a film script from Jason Stevens, he had to check it was actually the work of a retired rugby league player.

“I couldn’t put it down,” Ewing said of Chasing Comets, which is based on Stevens’ life story.

“I said to Jase: ‘Aren’t you supposed to be an old front-row forward?’

“Seriously though, this is Jason’s first film and what he’s been able to accomplish is incredible,” Ewing said.

“The way the film has come together, Australian audiences are going to love it.”

Described as heartwarming and funny, the film is a dream come true for Stevens. He studied a screenwriting course after he retired from league in 2005.

“It’s a comedy-drama which explores the battle lines between Australian rules and rugby league but also the life choices we make in love and in relationships,” Stevens said.

“I’m hoping people can have a laugh and enjoy what is a very relatable movie.”

Ewing and Isabel Lucas lead an all-star Aussie cast that also includes Peter Phelps, Rhys Muldoon, Havana Brown and Stan Walker.

However, putting the film together hasn’t been an easy journey for Stevens.

The former NSW, Australian and Cronulla Sharks forward offered an insight into how difficult financing his filmmaking debut was – his mother was the first person to invest in the project.

The 45-year-old also assembled the stellar cast without a casting agent.

Stevens said he was already working on his second film. – a World War II story called Z-Unit.