'The Very Excellent Mr Dundee': Meet Paul Hogan, Olivia Newton-John, John Cleese and rest of the cast of Australian comedy
Hoges or Paul Hogan of 'Crocodile Dundee' was one the first Australian actors to taste global success because of the crossover appeal of his character of an Australian rube lost in translation in a sophisticated metropolis.
Relying on sight gags, like hitting the baddie on the head with a projectile thanks to a precise throw and his double entendres like his "this is a knife" line, Paul Hogan as 'Crocodile Dundee' is considered a "national treasure" in Australia.
So it's no surprise that a bunch of Australian actors and also Hogan's Hollywood contemporaries and friends from the '80s show up in extended cameos in Hogan's new "fourth-wall-breaking" revival of sorts. Here are some of the most famous actors appearing in the film.
Paul Hogan as himself
Playing an aging icon who just would like to take a peaceful nap and maybe watch a little Ellen in the afternoon is Paul Hogan. But fate has other things in store for him as he can't stop getting into trouble before he gets a knighthood in the film. Hogan was once nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (something he mentions to Chevy Chase) for 'Crocodile Dundee' and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance as the outback adventurer. American audiences also remember Hogan from his now legendary commercials for the Australian Tourist Commission in which he invited us to say "g'day" and come "down under" so he could "slip another shrimp on the barbie".
Jacob Elordi as Chase
Who plays Paul Hogan's son in the 'The Very Excellent Mr Dundee'? None else than that now-famous Australian actor Jacob Elordi as Chase Dundee. Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor, who has successfully created a career in the US. He is known for 'The Kissing Booth' films and the HBO series 'Euphoria'.
Olivia Newton-John as herself
Playing herself, Olivia Newton-John tries to get Paul Hogan to stand in for John Travolta during an on-stage karaoke version of Grease's 'The One that I Want' for a children's charity. Understandably, it doesn't go down well. Aussie actress, Olivia Newton-John's breakout role was in 'Grease' opposite John Travolta. Newton-John later also became a symbol of 80s pop culture. She went on to star in 'Xanadu' and also pen and perform some of the greatest pop hits of the era like 'Physical'. Newton-John has been a long-time activist for environmental, animal rights issues and an advocate for health awareness.
John Cleese as himself
John Cleese plays himself... well, a version of himself anyway. Broke after paying for the "alimony, drugs and prostitutes", he drives a stolen Uber to pay the bills. He happens to drive Hogan around town -- including for one very high-speed car chase. Cleese, a British comic and actor, is best known for being part of 'Monty Python' and also as the co-creator and star of 'Fawlty Towers', for which he won a BAFTA for his performance in 2000. He is also known for starring in the films 'A Fish Called Wanda' and 'Fierce Creatures'.
Chevy Chase as himself
Playing off his 'likeable' persona on-screen, Chevy Chase tells Hogan the secret to his 'people's-touch' is an Oscar award despite indulging in pretty obnoxious behavior. Chase scored in the eighties with hits such as 'Caddyshack ', 'National Lampoon's Vacation', and its sequels, 'Fletch'.
Wayne Knight as himself
Wayne Knight plays Hogan's annoying acquaintance who insists on barging into his home to pen show tunes (loudly), tap dance and escape his wife. Knight is an American actor and comedian. In television, he is known for playing Newman in Seinfeld (1992–1998) and Officer Don Orville in '3rd Rock from the Sun'.
'The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee' airs on December 11 as a video on demand.
