The film that is bringing the iconic children’s book character to 3D-animated life will also feature a star-studded Aussie cast including Toni Collette, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman and Barry Humphries (aka Dame Edna).
Former Home and Away star turned Hollywood hottie Ryan, is leaving behind the American southern drawl he’s now known for on sexy Vampire-drama True Blood to return to his Aussie roots as iconic Aussie koala Blinky Bill.
Generations of Aussie kids have grown up with the famous koala since he was first featured in Dorothy Wall’s illustrated book series in the 1930s. Since then he’s been adapted to television in puppet form in 1980s show The New Adventures of Blinky Bill as well as animated 90s cartoon series The Adventures of Blinky Bill. He has been featured on the big-screen before too in the 1992 animated feature Blinky Bill : The Mischievous Koala.
Now, with the help of CGI bringing him into 3D animated form, it’s hoped that the quintessentially Aussie character will win over a whole new generations of kids (plus grown-ups alike!).
Former Home and Away turned True Blood star Ryan Kwanten.
The CGI animated Blinky Bill the Movie was first announced at the Australian International Movie Convention on the Gold Coast last year. Producer Barbara Stephen said at the time: “The Blinky Bill Movie will introduce a whole new generation to Blinky Bill and his Australian bush friends.”
“We are so excited that we’ve been able to attract such an impressive cast to the project.”
The story follows the tale of the mischievous Blinky Bill as he journeys from his home town of Green Patch to search for his missing father. Accompanied by Nutsy, a zoo koala, and Jacko, a nervous frill-necked lizard, they journey through the rough and wild Aussie outback, meeting many challenges along the way!
The film is due to hit cinemas in Australia from the 17th September. In the meantime, check out Ryan as the voice of Blinky, above!
A first look at the Blinky Bill movie poster.
