PRESS RELEASE
When Crocodile Dundee released in Australian cinemas on April 24 in 1986, little did anyone know that it would not only become the highest-grossing Australian film of all time (still to this day), and make Paul Hogan an international star – but it would also become an iconic film, one that has contributed to shaping our nation’s identity.
The true joy of this much-loved film, along with the legend himself, Mick “Crocodile” Dundee, will return to Australian cinema screens when CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT releases in Q2 2025. THE 4K ENCORE CUT features considered edits, meticulous restoration, and will be shown for the first time in stunning 4K – truly capturing the Australian outback and Aussie bloke, Mick Dundee, in all their glory.
Crocodile Dundee tells the story so many already know and love, of American reporter Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski), who travels to the Australian outback to meet charismatic bushman Mick “Crocodile” Dundee (Paul Hogan). Sue invites Mick to return with her to her native New York City, where he comes face-to-face with modern city life, and all that comes with it. Crocodile Dundee is considered many things; a comedy, romance, action-adventure – but it is also a story about identity, our country, and connection to land, told through the warmth and humour of Mick Dundee.
CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT, will allow those already familiar with the story to rediscover and fall in love with it all over again, while a whole new audience will get to experience this iconic film and its loveable larrikin for the very first time.
Crocodile Dundee was directed by Peter Faiman, and written and produced by John Cornell. John was a legend of the Australian film and television industry, and as a long-time friend of Paul Hogan, played a major part in Paul’s success. John produced and starred alongside Paul in the hit TV program The Paul Hogan Show, in the 70s and 80s, as Strop, and the great mates went on to collaborate again on Crocodile Dundee… a labour of love that still to this day is the most commercially successful Australian film ever made, with box office earnings of $47,707,598 (AUD).
There was someone else who was a big part of this friendship, and that was John’s wife, Delvene Delaney. An Australian actress and television personality, and always by John’s side, Delvene was there every step of the way for the making of Crocodile Dundee. It was a time Delvene remembers fondly, with many incredible life-long friendships and memories made. John sadly passed away in 2021, and it was around this time that Delvene began working with her friend, and Content Executive, Victoria Baldock, and uncovered Crocodile Dundee archival material that lay dormant in her shed for over 20 years. With the film meaning so incredibly much to Delvene, as she knew it had meant to John, Paul, the filmmaking team and Australian audiences, she embarked on the journey to restore it.
During this process, Delvene and Victoria found footage, photos, scripts, notes, faxes, props, and boxes and boxes of never-before-seen items that revealed the story behind Crocodile Dundee, and were too good not to share. Upon discovering these treasures, Delvene says, “it was this goosebump experience that ignited the vision to share these treasures with the world…and in the process, reveal the true story, preserving the legacy and history of this iconic film, its global impact, and to honour my two best male mates…Paul Hogan, and his mentor and co-creator of Mick Dundee, John Cornell.”
The culmination of this process is CROCODILE DUNDEE: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE (working title), a documentary that is so much more than a “making of”. It unravels the many layers, stories and characters that are at the heart of Crocodile Dundee. The documentary features archival inclusions, amusing anecdotes and candid interviews with many who were part of the origin story, including; Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, Peter Faiman, Russell Boyd (Cinematographer), Peter Best (Composer), David Gyngell (CEO Nine Network), and Delvene.
CROCODILE DUNDEE: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE will give audiences a front-row-seat to unseen footage and never-before-told stories, as Delvene weaves the rich tapestry of this story revealing the inherent values of love, magic and mateship.
Kismet will release CROCODILE DUNDEE: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE in Australian cinemas in Q1 2025, and CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT in Q2 2025.
