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Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: ‘When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?’

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Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: 'When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?'

As a dedicated follower and ardent lover of Australian cinema with a career spanning over four decades, I wholeheartedly agree with John Jarratt’s sentiments. It’s high time our homegrown talent like the Hemsworth brothers embraced their roots and showcased their unique Aussie accents on the global stage.

Australian screen legend John Jarratt has launched an extraordinary broadside at the Hemsworths.

During a radio conversation on a Thursday, the 73-year-old actor from Wolf Creek suggested that Chris Hemsworth and his sibling Liam should produce more movies in Australia, utilizing their authentic Australian accents.

Jarratt, with a film career dating back to 1975, spoke candidly in response to queries regarding the current status of the regional film industry.

He remarked, during a recent interview on 104.5 Triple M Brisbane’s The Rush Hour, that the Australian movie industry seems to be moving towards America, doesn’t it?

He then continued: ‘Even, and if we get any of our big stars like, to come back to Australia, Australian big stars like the Hemsworths, et cetera, they… when was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent? Not very often.’

He then went on to slam the trend of big budget superhero films. 

“To revive our local film industry, let’s prioritize Australian productions and talent. And it’s time for us to take action against films featuring Spandex costumes.

Next year, Jarratt, who’s also set to appear in the upcoming Australian-produced gangster movie “Double or Nothing,” will make his appearance. This gritty crime flick is scheduled to debut at the Brisbane Film Festival this coming Sunday.

Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: 'When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?'

In another part of our conversation, the candid ex-actor from McLeod’s Daughters disclosed his dislike for daytime dramas (soap operas) and films featuring spandex (usually associated with superhero genres).

In one conversation, I was posed an intriguing question: If given the chance, would I rather star in a superhero series or a soap opera? Here’s my take on it.

‘Spandex…if I’ve got to sell my soul its a lot more money [than a soap],’ he joked.

Jarratt, who launched his acting career in significant Australian films such as Peter Weir’s 1975 hit Picnic at Hanging Rock, continued to appear in other well-known Down Under productions. These included the Vietnam drama The Odd Angry Shot (1979) and We of the Never Never (1979).

Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: 'When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?'
Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: 'When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?'

Also known to TV audiences Jarratt played a drug killer in the ABC 1995 crime  classic Blue Murder.

In the timeframe from 1995 to 1998, the practical craftsman who built homes in reality was also the presenter of the lifestyle show titled Better Homes and Gardens.

Jarratt’s remarks follow the release of high-profile films starring celebrities such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Zac Efron, Chris Hemsworth, and Colin Farrell in Australia from 2021 onwards.

In that group, there was the 2024 film titled Furisoa, where Hemsworth portrayed a fictional character using a broad Australian accent.

Prior to embarking on the Mad Max series, a former daytime TV star had already wrapped up two major productions in Australia: Thor: Blood and Fury, which was produced in Sydney, and the Netflix suspense film, Spiderhead, shot in Queensland.

Wolf Creek star slams Chris and Liam Hemsworth for abandoning their home country: 'When was the last time you heard them use an Australian accent?'

Neither film had a peculiarly Australian identity. 

Since 2020, a significant number of movies and TV shows, supported by Hollywood and often benefiting from favorable tax breaks, have been finished in Australia.

The productions provided thousands of jobs to local cast and crew.

Among my recommendations for captivating streaming content is the enthralling Amazon Prime Video series, “Thirteen Lives,” featuring the talented duo of Joel Edgerton and Viggo Mortensen.

Under the guidance of renowned U.S. filmmaker Ron Howard, this movie was shot in Queensland and recounts the thrilling true story of the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue operation. The estimated budget for this production was AU$79 million.

Baz Luhrman’s Elvis bio pic was also completed in 2021 at a reputed cost of US 85million.

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2024-10-25 00:22

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