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Sunday Territorian
Nov. 20, 2005
Croc ups the chills in thriller
Article courtesy of Rosemary.
By Greg McLean
WOLF Creek director Greg McLean has promised to up the spine-chill factor on the set of his new movie, being filmed in the Northern Territory.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Territorian at the serene Katherine Gorge, the cast and crew of Rogue believe they are on the verge of delivering a crocodile-inspired thriller capable of surpassing the critical acclaim of AFI award frontrunner Wolf Creek.
Writer/director of Rogue Greg McLean (no relation to this reporter) said not even the sweltering Top End humidity could dampen the vibe both behind and in front of the camera.
"It's kind of amazing -- every time we set up the camera I can't believe we're filming real locations,'' he said of the gorgeous backdrop.
Starring Hollywood heart-throb Michael Vartan (Alias), who teams up with Aussie favourites Radha Mitchell (Melinda and Melinda), John Jarratt (Wolf Creek), Stephen Curry (Thunderstruck) and Sam Worthington (Somersault), Rogue is the movie McLean has been wanting to make for the past 10 years.
And he has found some of Australia's most breathtaking panoramas in Kakadu National Park and Katherine Gorge to complement the stellar cast and a crew that is largely the same as the one behind Wolf Creek.
"Some of these places we're filming I've been to again and again, that's why we're at those spots, but a lot of the actors have never been there.
"I can't believe we've been allowed to do it.
"The first week on set everyone was so amazed to be at those locations in Kakadu, it was like we were all on the best holiday ever.
"But the style of movie, everyone is taking seriously and we're being as realistic as possible.
"People say that if you set out to make a horror film you'll get B-grade results but that's because the acting has not been focussed.
"For Rogue we have real characters and real locations and there have been recent examples of crocodiles attacking boats and people up here so the scenario of a crocodile stalking a tour group is not unrealistic either.
"I want the audience to go on a journey with the characters on the boat and experience the feeling of being incredibly isolated as they go through the suspense and thrills of being chased by a huge crocodile.
"It's like when the consumer ... becomes the consumed.''
McLean said he was trying to ignore the hype surrounding the critical and box office success of Wolf Creek and concentrate on nailing the visual spectacle of his latest project.
"It tells us we've made something good but we've got to focus on what's in front of us,'' he said.
Vartan, who stars as an American travel writer caught up in the horror of being stalked by a huge croc, is relishing both the role and the opportunity to film in such inspiring locations.
"It's a great experience to be a part of this movie on my first trip to Australia,'' he said.
"I get to see some amazing parts of the world and I get paid for it.
"The script for this movie is so good and the cast is incredibly talented.
"We've gotten shots already that I don't think people will believe are real.
"Filming at a place like Red Lillee Lagoon you're filming God's artwork and coming from Los Angeles I don't think people will believe it's not CGI (special effects).
"I don't consider Rogue a horror film -- it's a movie about how different people from so many different background react in extreme conditions.
"But you really get to see some people freak out.
"The crocs we filmed in the wild at Red Lillee are not used to seeing people so it's kind of eerie in a way.
"And in the movie the croc that's stalking us is not some 35-foot monster -- he's only 7m but that's still a big sucker -- it's hyper-realistic.
"The first night I spent out there I s... my pants.
"One of the big stars of the movie is the Northern Territory landscape and if anything this film will be remembered for being breathtakingly beautiful.''
Fellow terrified tourist in the movie, Wolf Creek star John Jarratt, said spending three weeks on the water had provided a different perspective to the film making process.
"It's attractive filmmaking, Whereas Wolf Creek was dirty, gritty-on-the-skin-of-your-arse kinda work,'' he said.
"I've seen all of these places before but it's just as awe-inspiring every time you come back.
"Greg knows how to cast actors and thankfully Michael's not a wanker -- he's got all the characteristics of an Aussie actor and he's fitted in perfectly with the cast and crew.
"There's an expectation for us to deliver something scary again but Rogue is a different kind of story told differently.
"It has the same vibe naturally because it is mostly the same team making the film.''
Jarratt said that after decades of grinding away at his craft he is
enjoying the exposure delivered by his portrayal of an Outback madman in Wolf Creek.
"The doors haven't opened but I can see the handles turning,'' he said.
"I'll go to LA after shooting this film and have a sniff around but I'll have a return ticket -- I'll never leave Australia.''
Producer Matt Hearn, McLean's friend and long-time collaborator, believes their second bite of the cherry will be just as satisfying for the audience and the filmmakers.
"This is the first film that Greg ever wrote and it was our big idea to follow up Wolf Creek with this one,'' he said.
"The crew making Rogue are a really close bunch of friends who happen to be good at making movies and the new cast has fitted right in so we're all part of the one family.
"Essentially we're making a half-price movie so it's all hands on deck otherwise we would never be able to make it the way we want to.
"In the end it all comes down to a good story and some magnificent landscapes.
"We know we're capturing some good stuff and there's a buzz among the whole crew in the trenches.
"We've been incredibly lucky to attract such a good Australian cast and we've made Michael an honorary Aussie -- he's not very fussy and he's loving Australia.''
Cast and crew are scheduled to finish filming in the Territory on Friday before relocating to rural Victoria to shoot the rest of the thriller's scenes.
McLean, Hearn and Jarratt will attend the Australian Film Industry awards next week before rejoining the rest of the cast and crew on the Rogue set.
© Northern Territory News 2005
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