Throwback (2013) - Vernon Wells As McNab

He’s faced off against Mad Max and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but now cult actor Vernon Wells faces his most formidable foe yet: a seven-foot superprimate known as a Yowie, Australia’s answer to Bigfoot. 

The veteran actor of Commando and The Road Warrior fame recently made a special trip to Cairns, Far North Queensland, to film his scenes for Travis Bain’s upcoming creature feature “Throwback.” In the film, due to premiere on the film festival circuit in 2013, Wells plays John McNab, a former homicide detective who has been suspended for insubordination. The story follows two modern-day treasure hunters who run afoul of a Yowie whilst searching for lost gold in the jungles of Far North Queensland. Along the way, they encounter the slightly unhinged McNab, who mistakenly believes that a serial killer is lurking in the forest killing hikers. 

In these stills from the film, McNab is seen wearing a ghillie suit, a full-body camouflage outfit favoured by snipers and hunters. Ironically, Australian soldiers refer to the ghillie suit informally as a “Yowie suit.” 

 Writer/Director Travis Bain says he is delighted to work with Wells. 

“Vernon fits his character like a glove,” says Bain. “He’s the right age, the right look, and very intimidating! I couldn’t have asked for a better actor for this role. Not only that, he’s just a really good bloke. Very down to earth and no bullshit whatsoever, which is what I like. I had to keep pinching myself that I was directing Bennett. I actually had a Commando poster on my bedroom wall back in 1985, so I’ve been geeking out a bit ever since Vernon said yes to the role.” 

Bain and his crew filmed Wells’ scenes at a remote location named Surprise Creek, just inland from where parts of HBO’s The Pacific were filmed. Bain says the location was so secluded that they only saw one hiker the whole time. 

“The location was very physically challenging. It was hot, there were a thousand bugs and the terrain was very rugged, but it was worth it because it looks spectacular on screen. Thankfully Vernon was a good sport. In fact, he was a machine. He worked tirelessly and performed like the pro that he is.” 

 For the first time on the production, a second camera was used to capture the action, a Canon XHA1, the “big brother” of the Canon HV20 used to shoot the film on so far. 

“Shooting on two cameras not only allowed us to get through Vernon’s scenes faster, it was also our a backup in case anything went wrong with the main camera. When you’re working with an actor who’s only in Australia for a limited time, reshoots aren’t an option, so the second camera gave us peace of mind.” 

The film’s first vintage-style teaser poster was recently unveiled, and is now available in various sizes for collectors to order from Zazzle (http://www.zazzle.com/sapphirepictures/gifts). More behind-the-scenes videos are coming soon on the official website (www.travisbain.com.au/throwback.htm) and a full trailer is due by Christmas. 

Official synopsis: Two modern-day treasure hunters venture deep into the jungles of Far North Queensland looking for the lost gold of a legendary outlaw. But instead of riches, they find a different kind of legend: a savage monster known as a Yowie, and a battle for survival ensues. Thrown into the mix are a park ranger named Rhiannon and an ex-homicide detective named McNab. “Throwback” stars Shawn Brack, Anthony Ring, Melanie Serafin, Andy Bramble and Vernon Wells. The movie is currently in post-production.