Throwback (2013) - Vernon Wells Joins The Cast

Cult film actor Vernon Wells has joined the cast of Travis Bain’s upcoming horror feature “Throwback.” 

Wells, 66, is best known for his roles as Wez in “The Road Warrior” (AKA "Mad Max 2") and Bennett in the 1985 Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Commando.” He has also appeared in over 140 other films during his career, including “Weird Science”, “Innerspace”, "Fortress" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action." 

“Throwback” is about two modern-day treasure hunters who venture deep into the jungles of Far North Queensland looking for lost bushranger gold, only to encounter a savage creature known as a Yowie, Australia’s answer to Bigfoot. 

Wells, who is LA-based but originally hails from rural Victoria, has been cast in the film as John McNab, a former homicide detective who has been suspended for insubordination. Writer/Director Bain, 39, describes the character as “slightly unhinged.” 

“He believes there’s a serial killer lurking in the jungle killing hikers, but his superiors don’t believe him, so he goes off on his own to try to catch the killer,” says Bain. "He has good intentions, and wants to bring home the killer and get his job back, but after spending some time in the wilderness alone, he starts to go a bit native, so there’s a definite Colonel Kurtz vibe to the character. He sees his suspension from the force as an injustice, so he's got a pretty big chip on his shoulder from the get-go.” 

Bain says he and his team are delighted to welcome Wells aboard the film. 

“We’re all in our thirties and forties so we’re all familiar with Vernon’s work. Vernon himself is a throwback to the genre films of the ’70s and ’80s that we’re paying homage to, so it’s very fitting that he’s in our movie. I think he's perfect for the role--the right age, the right look, the right level of scariness, everything. I couldn't imagine a better actor to face off against our hairy monster.” 

Bain says "Throwback", as its title suggests, will hark back to horror movies of yesteryear, such as the films of Val Lewton and Alfred Hitchcock. 

“The whole movie is just 90 minutes of suspense and action. There is some gore, but the focus is more on raising the hackles on people's necks instead. We're aiming for chills and atmosphere rather than torture porn.” 

“Throwback” is currently in production in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Principal photography is due to wrap in early October. The film’s two-minute teaser trailer debuted on YouTube in April and has recorded over 5,000 hits thus far. A full trailer will be released by Christmas 2012 and the film itself will premiere on the film festival circuit in 2013. 

For more information, please contact writer/director Travis Bain at travisbain@hotmail.com or visit the film’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/throwbackmovie