It’s rare for an Australian film to get a sequel, but now two movies released back in 2011 are set to have follow-up features. A sequel to lad comedy A Few Best Men was green lit by Australia’s funding agency, Screen Australia, today, and follows earlier news of Red Dog’s sequel, Blue Dog, which is currently in post-production.
A Few Best Men (which left this writer cold), was penned and produced by the team behind Death At A Funeral, including writer Dean Craig. It was directed by Stephan Elliott and starred Xavier Samuel, Kevin Bishop, Kris Marshall as the problem-prone best men to a groom played by Tim Draxl. For the sequel, A Few Less Men, Samuel, Bishop and Marshall will reprise their roles to transport their dead friend’s coffin (no prizes for guessing who’s in it) on a problem-prone trek across the country following an emergency aeroplane landing in the outback. Elliott is not returning to direct the sequel. Craig was originally set to direct his own script, but Peter Templeman (Not Suitable For Children) will now take the reins.
In other movie funding news, Kimble Rendall (Bait 3D) will direct an action adventure Australia/China co-production, The Nest. As we reported earlier, Rendall’s Bait 3D - which also starred Xavier Samuel - did big business in China, and its success led to an official partnership for The Nest.
The story revolves around a 2000-year-old secret that is unearthed with the discovery of a mummified Emperor from 200 BC China. The film will be visual effects-driven and will be largely shot and post-produced in Australia.
Of today’s announcements, Screen Australia’s Head of Production, Sally Caplan, said: “There are some very strong stories and characters in the current slate of funded projects, and it’s wonderful to see the creativity flowing from talented Australian writers, directors, producers and performers. We look forward to seeing these projects on Australian screens very soon.”
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