'The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee': Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about comedy on 'Crocodile Dundee' star
If you are an 80s child, you'll remember the American-Australian 1986 action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and in New York City, starring Paul Hogan as the legendary crocodile hunter "Crocodile Dundee". Now, in a "fourth wall-breaking" revival of sorts, we see the aging Paul Hogan starring in 'The Very Excellent Mr Dundee'. Only this time, he is playing himself, the actor, who became famous for his "crocodile hunter" role but has no idea about how to handle reptiles.
Release Date
The film is premiering on demand on December 11th.
Plot
Paul Hogan plays himself in this raucous comedy. Retired in L.A. and overshadowed by his "Crocodile Dundee" character, Hogan is offered a knighthood by the Queen of England. Hogan is thus reluctantly thrust back into the spotlight. But before he can accept the knighthood, Hogan gets caught up in a series of comical scandals that dominate gossip shows and social media feeds. Can he keep his reputation clean long enough to hang onto his prize — and his dignity? There are plenty of celebrity cameos and co-stars, who play fictionalized versions of themselves in the film.
Cast
Paul Hogan
Paul Hogan plays a fictionalized version of himself in the film, desperately trying to keep his reputation intact before he is knighted by the Queen, but failing at every turn. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance as outback adventurer Michael "Crocodile" Dundee in 'Crocodile Dundee', released in 1986. The film was only the first in the successful 'Crocodile Dundee' franchise.
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi plays Chase, Paul's son in the film helping him cope with his return to the spotlight. 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
Another Aussie actress, Olivia Newton-John also plays herself in the film, inviting Paul to a charity event she is going to. After her breakout role in 'Grease' opposite John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John 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
John Cleese appears in the film as himself and surprises Paul who recognizes him, leading to a wild car drive and adventure. 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'.
Creators
The film is directed by Dean Murphy, written by Robert Mond and Dean Murphy.
Trailer
Bringing together some beloved Aussie stars like Olivia Newton-John and Hugh Jackman (in a cameo), we see Paul Hogan pick up the pieces of his celebrity as he is in the running to be knighted by the Queen of England. But as he goes about, people keep mistaking him for Hulk Hogan and quoting his lines wrong at him. He also encounters his old friends from the industry, including John Cleese, and meets with studio execs wanting to reboot the 'Crocodile Dundee' franchise. He feels overwhelmed, even as his son comforts him, because he can't seem to keep himself out of the news for things that make him sound like a danger to society.
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