Australian actor Paul Hogan, 85, made a rare public appearance at the premiere of the reboot of the classic series Crocodile Dundee.
The star, who played the iconic role of Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee in the 1980s, walked the red carpet at the event, rocking a brown leather jacket and black shirt.
A Blast from the Past
The original Crocodile Dundee film series, which includes three movies, follows the story of American reporter Sue Charlton as she travels to the Australian outback to meet eccentric poacher Mick Dundee.
The franchise was a huge success, with Paul Hogan earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Updates to the Classic Film
A new ‘encore cut’ of the film was shown at the OpenAir Cinema in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, with two minutes of insensitive material cut from the original movie.
Paul Hogan agreed with the changes, stating that it wasn’t about being “woke” but rather about removing scenes that were no longer suitable for modern audiences.
The actor said, “I mean, he did it in all innocence, in naivety, but it’s better without it.”
A Legendary Comeback
The reboot of Crocodile Dundee comes after the passing of Burt, the massive 5.1-metre crocodile that starred in the 1986 movie.
The iconic reptile died peacefully in captivity in Darwin, estimated to be over 90 years old. Paul Hogan’s appearance at the premiere marks a significant comeback for the actor, who has been open about his health struggles in recent years.
Overcoming Health Issues
In 2022, Paul Hogan revealed that he had shed all his body fat after suffering from a condition called retro peritoneal fibrosis, a benign growth that pressed on his kidney.
The actor was prescribed steroids to shrink the growth but said he needed to build himself up again. Hogan added, “I maintained [my health] right up till 79, I was still fit.
I’d still take out most 40-year-olds. And then I turned 80 – it’s lovely, that saying, that ‘turning 80 is not for sissies’, because things start to fall apart.”
The reboot of Crocodile Dundee is set to bring back memories of the classic film, with Paul Hogan’s rare appearance at the premiere generating excitement among fans.
The updated version of the movie is a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise, and Hogan’s agreement with the changes shows that the actor is committed to making the film suitable for modern audiences.