Eric Bana reveals he was protective of bringing novel The Dry to life in regional Australia – after the film faced multiple setbacks due to COVID-19
The Dry marks Eric Bana’s first lead role in an Australian movie in 13 years.
And with the local industry thriving amid the global coronavirus pandemic, the Australian actor, 52, felt the project was ‘really special’ to be part of.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the film’s premier in Sydney, Eric claimed he was excited to bring the best-selling novel to life without leaving the country.
Actor Eric Bana (pictured) was protective when it came to ensuring Jane Harper’s debut novel The Dry was done justice in regional Australia – after the film faced multiple setbacks with its release date due to COVID-19. Pictured at Sydney’s premiere at Westpac’s OpenAir Cinema
The Dry was filmed across more than 20 regional towns in rural Victoria, Australia, in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
‘Being able to film in regional Victoria was really, really special and not having to sit on a plane for 20 hours, and that sort of thing, it did feel fantastic,’ he said.
Eric, who acted in and executively produced the film, was a long-time fan of Jane Harper’s debut 2016 novel.
‘It’s always exciting when you read something that you really want to be a part of that becomes a reality,’ the Dirty John star said.
The Dry was filmed across more than 20 regional towns in rural Victoria, Australia, in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Eric plays lead character, Aaron Falk
‘Being able to film in regional Victoria was really, really special and not having to sit on a plane for 20 hours, and that sort of thing, it did feel fantastic’: Eric was proud to film on home soil
The actor said he worked hard with director Robert Connolly to create a ‘faithful adaptation of Jane’s work’, and Jane herself told Daily Mail Australia that they succeeded her expectations.
‘We were both big fans of Jane’s work and felt very protective of how the film should look, and so we are really proud of the end product,’ Eric said.
Owning his own production company, Pick Up Truck Pictures, Eric said he found his collaboration with Robert a ‘natural fit’.
‘I usually only get involved in the productions that I’m in myself, and I don’t produce for other people. I’m pretty careful about how often I do that, but in this case it was a natural fit. Rob and I share an office together and have known each other for a long time.’
‘We felt very protective of how the film should look’: The actor said he worked hard with director Robert Connolly to create a ‘faithful adaptation of Jane’s work’, and Jane herself told Daily Mail Australia that they succeeded her expectations
‘It is a very sensitive and faithful version’: Author Jane Harper (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia she was thrilled with the film and thought it did her debut novel justice
The Hulk star’s big-screen adaptation of best-selling murder mystery The Dry will open on New Year’s Day, having been pushed back from its original August release date due to coronavirus shutdowns.
Author Jane Harper told Daily Mail Australia she was thrilled with the outcome of the film and thought it definitely has done the novel justice.
‘It is a very sensitive and faithful version of the book, I think,’ she said, hinting that a sequel is hopefully on its way.
The movie is produced by Made up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky.
The Dry hits theatres from January 1, 2021
Coming soon: The Dry hits theatres from January 1, 2021