Wolf Creek star Nathan Phillips talks about new film 13 Summers

The Aussie actor who starred in Wolf Creek and Snakes on a Plane is on location on the Fraser Coast, and has opened up about the hardships of 2022.

A Wolf Creek star in Hervey Bay filming a new thriller has spoken of his passion for the project as he portrays a husband trying to rebuild his strained relationship with his wife.

Nathan Phillips, star of the Aussie horror movie as well as Hollywood hit Snakes on a Plane, is currently part of 13 Summers, being directed by Tam Sainsbury, starring alongside Bec Hewitt, Georgie Parker and Hannah Levien.

The Chronicle visited the set of 13 Summers this week.

The film tells the story of two couples caught up in an eerie mystery.

“During their annual vacation at an isolated beach, Ben and Vee unexpectedly encounter a mysterious backpacker who draws them into a twisted web of lies, deceit and ultimately, revenge,” a description on its website said.

Tam Sainsbury is directing an unique web series based and filmed in Caloundra

Mr Phillips plays Ben, a man labelled a killer cop who goes on an annual holiday with his wife after being cleared of any wrongdoing.

But mystery and intrigue follow the two on their getaway as they try to mend their strained relationship and wait for another couple to arrive at their seaside holiday home.

The film is being shot over several weeks at Dundowran Beach.

Mr Phillips said it had been a tough year, with flooding devastating Lismore, near his home base.

Coming on top of Covid, he said it had been “a really taxing time for everyone”.

For Mr Phillips, the chance to come to Hervey Bay to film was an opportunity to get back to nature and do what he loves.

He said it was the script that made him want to be part of the project.

Wolf Creek and Snakes on a Plane star Nathan Phillips on the set of new thriller 13 Summers.

“It has to be the script; it’s never the money. Money doesn’t make you happy,” Mr Phillips said.

The complexity of his character played a big part in him wanting to take on the role.

“I love struggling with the character that I want to make redeemable, even though I’m not the bad guy.”

His character’s main conflict was with the mysterious backpacker played by Ben Turland, a young flirtatious “spunk” pushing his buttons, who is everything his own character is not, Mr Phillips said.

“That’s when the story unfolds,” he said.

As filming continues, Fraser Coast businesses have thrown their support behind the project, with Maryborough’s Fully Baked doing the catering and cars being provided by a Hervey Bay business.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour with 13 Summers star Bec Hewitt.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour paid a visit to the set this week, having a photo taken with former Home and Away star Bec Hewitt.

He said it was an exciting occasion for the region to provide the locations for a film.

“This is an industry I think that has great potential; whether it is the historic streetscapes of Maryborough, our country towns or pristine wilderness, we have many great locations for future productions” he said.

“The council is very keen to explore ways we can encourage future films here.”

Originally published as Wolf Creek star Nathan Phillips talks about new film 13 Summers