Chopper hit cinemas over 20 years ago and to celebrate the milestone the Aussie flick is set to return to the big screen with bonus footage.
The 20th-anniversary edition of Chopper will be digitally remastered and will launch in over 150 cinemas nationwide for two weeks from August 26.
The controversial 2000 film was based on the life of the late Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read and famously starred Eric Bana in what would become the actor’s breakout dramatic role.
Speaking to News Corp, Bana said he was “proud” of the film and its continued impact 20 years on.
“It’s easy to forget just how controversial the idea of the film was, there were a lot of people really angry we were even making the film in the first place. It was a real risk, we didn’t really know what it would do,” he said.
“We didn’t win Best Film that year, it had plenty of detractors, but it’s far more important for a film to have longevity than to have a massive opening.
“Any time you can be part of a character that lives on for more than five minutes is a privileged opportunity. I’ve never not been grateful for it.”
Love Film & TV?
Get the latest Film & TV news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
The return of the legendary film is likely to be bittersweet for some, with the late Michael Gudinski having co-produced the film through his company Mushroom Pictures.
“Bringing Chopper to the screen was one of Dad’s proudest achievements,” Matt Gudinski, CEO of Mushroom Group, said in a press release.
“He loved the fact that this Australian movie had become a cult classic around the world, as well as launching the Hollywood career of Eric Bana.”
“Who knows if the film could have been without Michael Gudinski and his conviction,” Bana added.
“[Director] Andrew [Dominik] got to make exactly the film he wanted to make, it wasn’t compromised. The film Andrew wanted to make is the one you see and that requires guts and backers there to support the filmmaker and the vision. It’s a great legacy for Michael and his attitude to backing talent.”
Check out the trailer for the new edition of Chopper below.
For more on this topic, follow the Film & TV Observer.
