Exclusive: Eric Bana reveals why Chopper is making a comeback

Michael Gudinski wanted to mark the 20th anniversary of Chopper but had to delay due to the pandemic. Now, the late music icon’s wish has been granted.

Exclusive: Iconic Australian film Chopper will return to cinemas in August to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The cult classic, starring Eric Bana as late criminal Mark Brandon ‘Chopper’ Read, is not available on streaming services.

A digitally-remastered version of Chopper, with bonus footage, will return to over 150 cinemas nationally from August 26 for two weeks.

The film launched Bana, who started his career as a stand-up comic, into a Hollywood film career.

“I’m proud of how unique Chopper is,” Bana told News Corp.

Eric Bana as Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read in the movie Chopper. Picture: Supplied

“It’s easy to forget just how controversial the idea of the film was, there were a lot of people really angry we were even making the film in the first place. It was a real risk, we didn’t really know what it would do. We didn’t win Best Film that year, it had plenty of detractors, but it’s far more important for a film to have longevity than to have a massive opening.

“Any time you can be part of a character that lives on for more than five minutes is a privileged opportunity. I’ve never not been grateful for it.”

Chopper was one of the late Michael Gudinski’s passion projects – his company Mushroom Pictures released the movie in the year 2000 — and the late music industry icon was always keen to mark the movie’s anniversary, with celebrations last year put on hold due to the pandemic.

Matt Gudinski, CEO of Mushroom Group, said bringing Chopper to the screen was one of his father’s proudest achievements.

“He loved the fact that this Australian movie had become a cult classic around the world, as well as launching the Hollywood career of Eric Bana.”

The late Michael Gudinski was proud of the legacy of Chopper. Pic: Stuart McEvoy

Bana said Gudinski was critical to Chopper, released as an R rated film, not being watered down.

“Who knows if the film could have been without Michael Gudinski and his conviction,” Bana said.

“(Director) Andrew (Dominik) got to make exactly the film he wanted to make, it wasn’t compromised. The film Andrew wanted to make is the one you see and that requires guts and backers there to support the filmmaker and the vision. It’s a great legacy for Michael and his attitude to backing talent.”

Bana said he is constantly asked on social media why Chopper isn’t available to stream; the limited return to cinemas will give a chance for a new generation who have discovered the movie on DVD to watch it on the big screen.

“Chopper’s been in the wrecking yard for a little while, waiting to be dusted off,” Bana said. “As a film buff, for the preservation of all Australian films, it’s great when the best technical version of them can be resurrected and established.

Eric Bana is happy Chopper is being pulled from the ‘wrecking yard’. Pic: Britta Campion

“A lot of the dialogue from the film is extremely memorable, there’s a lot of key moments people still enjoy quoting and we have to put that down to Chopper himself, they’re mostly his words. That’s definitely contributed to why the film has aged so well.”

Ticket details will be announced shortly.