Empire Magazine Article - July 2003
Somewhere, buried deep among the sub-clauses of Australia's constitution, there appears to be a provision pertaining to the inalienable right to Australian nationals to "take Hollywood by storm". Led into battle by the iconic Mel, the Antipodes have been exporting quality movie star for more than two decades now, although recently the influx has assumed proportions that should be attracting the attention of the immigration department. Think Russell, think Guy, think Cate, think Heath, and now think, well,...think Eric.
"It has been pretty amazing," says Mr. Bana with a grin. "Three huge movies on the trot. I've forgotten if it's possible to make a film in less than six months."
Amazing more or less sums it up. Incredible, even. In the space of just three years, the 34 year old has rocketed from a tiny Australian flick that he didn’t think would make it out of Melbourne, let alone Australia (Chopper), to starring in one of the summer's most keenly-anticipated blockbusters and with Wolfgang Petersen's Troy currently shooting in Malaga - also appearing in what is already looking like one of next year's bigger hitters. Oh, and in the middle of it all there was this little war picture in which he just happened to be the best thing, Black Hawk Down. Not bad going for a guy who, only a few years ago, was fending off hecklers at some of Melbourne's less salubrious comedy clubs, as a poorly paid stand-up.
"Black Hawk Down was my first big Hollywood film, and everything about it was amazing," he remembers of the five-and-a-half month Moroccan shoot, which is rapidly gaining an Abyss-like reputation for the strains it put on its young cast. "There was a lot of boredom, a lot of huge excitement, a lot of homesickness, a lot of people complaining and whinging. It was an extreme period that will never be repeated. And I've gotten two or three lifelong friends out of it. Oh, and my wife as well."
Bana took half a year off at home in Melbourne ("I'll never leave. When I shoot I'll take my family with me - one movie a year and then the rest of the time at home") before he committed to The Hulk. And it would seem that this is a pattern he will repeat, regardless of his impending rise to megastardom. "You know, after Troy it's a blank slate," he beams. "Nothing at all lined up. And that's really what excites me. I always wanted to be a racing driver anyway. But, you know, this'll do." - Adam Smith