Next Bachelors revealed: How one planned to take on Zac Efron in ‘David and Goliath’ legal battle

A Melbourne model who claimed star Zac Efron copied his idea for a travel show, an ex NRL player and a Brazilian who studied theology are lining up for love on The Bachelor.

Bachie Ben Waddell once took on Zac Efron over a travel documentary idea, claiming his plan had been copied by the Hollywood star. Picture: Supplied

A Melbourne model turned wannabe TV host who claimed Hollywood star Zac Efron copied his idea for an environmental travel series is among the three Bachelors looking to win hearts on Australia’s most successful dating show.

Ben Waddell, Queensland based, former NRL player, Luke Bateman, and Brazilian-born Sydneysider Wesley Senna Cortes, who moved to Australia to study theology, are the love seeking missiles on Channel 10’s reality romance The Bachelors Australia.

Waddell made headlines in 2021 when he alleged Efron’s Netflix’s sustainability documentary series Down to Earth with Zac Efron was uncannily like the idea he came up with in 2017 for a show called Down to Earth with Ben Waddell.

Drama follows Melbourne model Ben Waddell. Picture: Supplied

Waddell was involved in a “David and Goliath” battle against Efron. Picture: Supplied

He claimed he had unsuccessfully pitched a pilot to unnamed producers in America in 2018 and was confounded when years later Efron’s show, which is set on a similar premise of travelling around the world exploring sustainable and healthy ways to live, appeared.

Efron’s team dismissed the claims in a letter to A Current Affair after Waddell voiced his frustration on Instagram two years ago and threatened legal action against the streamer and the star, sparking a media frenzy.

His brother, Robbie, even launched a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for the proposed “David and Goliath” legal battle.

It raised just $12,260.

“Ben Waddell is no longer pursuing legal action against Netflix and Zac Efron,” Ten confirmed on Saturday.

“All the money raised through GoFundMe was used to cover legal costs pertaining to this suit in 2021.”

Waddell, who hails from Lilydale in outer Melbourne, but was based in the US for years, also made headlines in January when he joined Sydney socialite Pip Edwards at the Australian Open just days after she was labelled ‘the other woman’ in an argument between her ex Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough in a Noosa carpark.

With such a history of drama in his life The Bachelors should be a breeze for this bloke.

Waddell said he felt “incredibly lucky” to be on the Bachelors.

“I’ll be going in with an open mind and open heart to find the girl of my dreams,” he said.

Fellow Bachelor Wesley, who is described as “Brazil’s hottest export,” said it was an honour to be looking for love on TV.

“It’s not every day that you have such an incredible team helping you find love. I couldn’t be more excited,” he said

Luke, who works as a lumberjack post his sporting career, said he was ready to woo potential partners with heartfelt poems.

The next three Bachelors (L-R) Wesley, Ben and Luke. Picture: Supplied

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m feeling all the first date nerves dialled up to 11,” he said.

Romance is the Bachelors buzz word this year with 10 stepping into the arms of love in Melbourne and leaving behind the MAFS-like shambles of last season on the Gold Coast.

Gold Logie nominee and host Osher Günsberg said he was thrilled to once again be a part of Australia’s favourite love story.

“(I’m) stoked that Melbourne will be the backdrop for the most romantic season we’ve ever made,” he said.

“The guys are so great and the ladies who have chosen to be a part of this are powerful, smart women who aren’t afraid to find the love they came to find.”

The Bachelors Australia is now filming.