CROCODILE DUNDEE RESTORATION AND DOCO SET FOR 2025 RELEASE

When Crocodile Dundee released in Australian cinemas on April 24, 1986, few could foresee that it would become the highest-grossing Australian film of all time and make Paul Hogan an international star. But it is the film’s enduring status as an iconic example of larrikin-infused Australian storytelling, a vision that has contributed to shaping our nation’s identity, that is perhaps its greatest legacy

Mick “Crocodile” Dundee will return to Australian cinema screens when CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT returns to the big screen in mid-2025. The re-release promises a meticulous restoration, and will be shown for the first time in stunning 4K, truly capturing the Australian outback and our chiselled-jaw hero in all their glory.

Though fans need no reminding, the film tells the story of American reporter Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski, pictured right), who travels to the Australian outback to meet charismatic bushman Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee (Paul Hogan). Sue invites Mick to return with her to her native New York City, where he comes face-to-face with modern city life, and all that comes with it. 

CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT, will allow those already familiar with the story to rediscover and fall in love with it all over again, while a whole new audience will get to experience this significant piece of Australian film history for the first time.

Crocodile Dundee was written and produced by John Cornell, a legend of the Australian film and television industry. Alongside ‘Hoges’, John was the driving behind-the-scenes force of the hit TV program The Paul Hogan Show, as well as appearing on-screen as his comic foil, ‘Strop’. Their labour-of-love collaboration on Crocodile Dundee would become the most commercially successful Australian film ever made, with box office earnings of $47,707,598 (AUD).

Also key to the success of Paul Hogan as a commercial brand was John’s wife, Delvene Delaney, an Australian actress and television personality. Always by John’s side, Delvene was there every step of the way for the making of Crocodile Dundee.

When John passed away in 2021, Delvene began working with her friend, industry executive Victoria Baldock, on the project that would ensure the immortality of Crocodile Dundee. They discovered archival material that lay dormant in storage for over 20 years - footage, photos, scripts, notes, faxes, props, and boxes and boxes of never-before-seen items that revealed the story behind the production of the film - and together they embarked on the journey to chronicle its making.

“It was this goosebump experience, one that ignited the vision to share these treasures with the world”, says Delaney. “And in the process, reveal the true story, preserve the legacy and history of this iconic film, its global impact, and to honour my two best male mates…Paul Hogan, and his mentor and co-creator of Mick Dundee, John Cornell.” (Pictured above, l-r; Hogan, Delaney and Cornell)

The culmination of this process is CROCODILE DUNDEE: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE (working title), a documentary that unravels the many layers, stories and characters that are at the heart of Crocodile Dundee. The documentary features archival inclusions, amusing anecdotes and candid interviews with many who were part of the origin story, including; Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, the film's director Peter Faiman, cinematographer Russell Boyd, composer Peter Best and Delvene Delaney herself.

Kismet will release CROCODILE DUNDEE: LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE in Australian cinemas in early 2025, and CROCODILE DUNDEE: THE 4K ENCORE CUT in mid-2025.