Former child star Matt Doran teases Home and Away return after surprise Star Wars fan revival

He’s best known to Aussie soap fans as Damian Roberts from Home and Away.

However, over the years, Matt Doran has stealthily amassed a devoted fanbase through his appearances in two globally renowned movie series: Star Wars and The Matrix.

To Daily Mail Australia, the actor, who is also a father of two, has candidly discussed his life post-fame, juggling parenthood with being a renowned sci-fi character, and hinting that he might revisit Summer Bay again in the future.

As I prepare to grace the stage at an upcoming fan convention, I, Doran, a seasoned lifestyle enthusiast, confess that there was a time when the sight of science fiction extravaganzas such as Supanova left me feeling somewhat peculiar. However, it wasn’t until I witnessed and experienced the boundless love these fans have for my characters that this strange feeling transformed into a deep sense of appreciation and connection.

Anyone dropping by for a conversation must be familiar with my work, it’s truly heartening to be reminded of the fortunate opportunity I’ve had to contribute to these legendary movies, he noted.

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Doran, famed for his roles as Mouse in The Matrix and Elan Sleazebaggano, the notorious ‘death sticks’ dealer in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, stated that his short appearance in George Lucas’ space epic made a lasting impact on fans.

He chuckled, not expecting the minor part he took on would be met with such enthusiasm. “They can’t get enough of it,” he said. “People keep asking me, ‘Are you the popcorn chicken man?’

The part that eventually ended up being opposite Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, was personally penned by George Lucas following his initial request for Daniel Logan to try out for a computer-generated character.

When I heard it was a Star Wars role, I couldn’t resist the opportunity. And with how famous it’s become… even now, people ask me to autograph cigarette packs due to my character’s ‘death sticks’!

Regardless of his minor screen appearance, Doran owns a Star Wars action figure, which he shared with pride, mentioning that his daughters and mother still keep theirs in the original packaging.

He discovered several unique toys in a London store and bought some to bring home. His nephews promptly broke their new toys, causing him to chuckle. However, he managed to hold onto a couple of them – they are quite extraordinary.

When asked if he’d return to the Star Wars universe, Doran didn’t hesitate.

I’ve come across various speculations on YouTube about the fate of Elan following Obi-Wan’s instruction for him to ‘head home and reassess his life’. However, it’s a theory I find appealing that he didn’t. Perhaps he’s still peddling death sticks somewhere in the universe!

The Australian actor is particularly admired by Matrix enthusiasts, thanks in part to his memorable death scene as Mouse, which continues to be a hot topic of conversation.

He playfully referred to it as his “Tony Montana” moment, describing himself brandishing two large weapons while heading towards an explosive end. Interestingly, this is the image he signs the most when attending the Supanova events.

Doran says the difference between Star Wars and The Matrix was stark.

In contrast, my character in Star Wars was filmed in just one day, which was surprisingly outmatched by the duration spent on security checks. The Matrix production, on the other hand, spanned over nine weeks across nine months, providing ample time to establish camaraderie with the cast and crew.

He mentioned that reading the Matrix script was an unusual instance when it became apparent that the movie was destined to succeed.

‘They truly captured the essence of the script just as I had imagined it. Normally, when I see something I’ve worked on, the magic seems to disappear. However, The Matrix manages to keep me engaged – I forget that I’m even part of it.’

And what about a Matrix reboot?

He often teases by saying he doesn’t get excited about sequels since his character perished in the initial installment. However, in reality, there is simply no match for the original version.

In a straightforward and conversational manner, let’s say: Doran, currently residing in Sydney along with his little ones, shared that acting remains his deepest enthusiasm, although the demands of family life often come first.

Ever since I turned 12, I’ve been involved in acting. I continue to audition for roles whenever possible. Acting is deeply ingrained within me – it’s always been a significant aspect of who I am.

Lately, he’s been the lead actor in a psychological thriller titled Intersection, which is currently available for streaming on YouTube. This single-person movie was filmed right before the pandemic and has Doran appearing in almost all of its scenes.

I’m alone in a vehicle, chatting over the phone as I attempt to retrieve my son. Though it’s a budget production, it offered some remarkable acting challenges.

Although frequently mistaken for other well-known Australians, particularly Matt Doran who was a former Sunrise presenter, the actor asserted that he is the original one, or simply put, the first and most authentic.

‘In our group, there are three people: Sunrise Matt, an ABC reporter, and myself – Matt Doran, the original one.’ He chuckled.

And for Home and Away fans wondering what became of Damian Roberts?

He failed university, turned into a photographer, later joined the priesthood – quite an unexpected turn of events!” he remarked.

While Doran is unsure if a return to Home and Away is on the cards, he admitted he wouldn’t say no.

In simpler terms, you might say, “I often have a recurring dream where I find myself back on the set of ‘Home and Away’, yet I can’t recall my lines. Could it be the universe hinting at something?

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I cherish my ongoing connection with the exceptionally talented actress, Tina Thomsen – remember, she played my on-screen sister Finlay? If given the opportunity, I believe a special reunion episode, akin to Neighbours’ final spectacle, would be an absolute delight for our dedicated fans.

I believe everyone would enjoy it. I’d be thrilled to return. Let’s get Damian out of the priesthood and bring him back to Summer Bay!

And when he’s not acting or signing figurines, Doran is focused on being a hands-on dad.

‘They keep me on my toes,’ he laughed. ‘And that’s the most important role I’ve ever had.’

2025’s Supanova event is all set to conquer Sydney and Perth in June! The much-loved convention will first grace Sydney Showground Olympic Park on the 21st and 22nd of June, then move onto the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre from the 28th to the 29th of the same month.

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2025-06-18 13:52