Cronulla Sharks’ Jason Stevens launches debut film Chasing Comets
Cronulla Sharks legend Jason Stevens has always been at home with the stars of the field and film – but launching his debut feature film is a whole new ball game.
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Cronulla Sharks legend Jason Stevens has always been at home with the stars of the field and film – but launching his debut feature film is a whole new ball game.
Art imitates life in Stevens’ movie Chasing Comets, a comedy which follows an NRL player at the crossroads who turns to the Christian faith.
“The heart of the story is true,” Stevens said
“It’s an NRL player who is wrestling, and stuffing up, and ultimately diving headfirst into faith.”
Former Home And Away actor Dan Ewing leads the star-studded cast, which includes former NRL star Beau Ryan, singer Stan Walker, Australian actors Isabel Lucas and Kat Hoyos, and Rhys Muldoon.
“The driving force is a player, Chase Daylight, who is sabotaging his dream to play NRL and ruining his relationships,” Stevens said.
“He hits a low place, and he turns to faith – and not just faith, but faith in a sports environment, which is where we draw a lot of our comedy.”
Stevens draws from his highly-publicised conversion to Christian faith during the height of his NRL career in his story in a determined effort to write what he knows.
“The faith is raw and real and it flows naturally,” Stevens said.
“Sometimes faith films come on extremely strong but this flows because the main character is surrounded by mates who take the mickey out of him, and it just gives us a greater licence to be creative and funny with it.”
New Zealand-born Walker plays Chase’s archrival as the local AFL team’s captain.
“He’s a Kiwi, so it’s preposterous,” Stevens laughed.
“We had a lot of fun with that idea.”
The extraordinary undertaking came about after one particular setback ultimately set Stevens free to explore his interest in screenwriting.
“I had a contract with The Footy Show for many years, and when that stopped I was lost,” Stevens said.
“I did a bit of soul-searching, and I decided to start screenwriting.”
The result is a charming comedy that leans into the unique quirks and challenges of Australian life.
“We set it in Wagga because sport is a huge theme of the film,” Stevens said.
“Wagga is on the border between Victoria and NSW, so you have people there who love both AFL and NRL, and that rivalry.”
Although the story is set in Wagga, local residents will recognise many Shire filming locations, including South Cronulla Uniting Church, Greenhills Park and beloved Cronulla Thai restaurant Montien Tong.
Stevens’ wife Beck said the filming process was fun for everyone involved.
“Beau is so funny, and between scenes Stan would be singing Boyz 2 Men,” Beck said.
“It’s very surreal to see it all finished now – you do pinch yourself when you’re watching it on the screen, and I get very excited to see people reacting to it.”
Stevens said he had Beck to thank for pulling off the ambitious project.
“She was an executive producer, she found the investor, and she was the head of wardrobe,” Stevens said.
“She really carried the brunt of it while we made this happen.”
Chasing Comets is now screening at Cronulla Cinemas and Hoyts Cinemas nationally. For session times, visit cronullacinemas.com.au or hoyts.com.au.