The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course

It was just a g’day in the life of Aussie wildlife warrior Irwin: He was on location to shoot a segment of his Animal Planet series, ”The Crocodile Hunter,” with longtime cameraman and director Stainton when they hatched the idea. ”We were walking in the bush in Namibia,” says Irwin, ”and I said to John, ‘I’ve gotta catch these really aggressive crocs next year,’ so John says, ‘Right! That should be the start of the movie!”’ And indeed, it’s the beginning of a family-friendly tale that centers on Graham, a croc who swallows a top secret U.S. satellite beacon. When special agents are sent to recover it, the ensuing chase leads Irwin to believe they’re poachers.

But don’t bother asking Irwin what the movie’s about. He has yet to see the script or screen any footage. ”When I had to do a scene, [Stainton] would say, ÔYou’ve gotta take us from here to there,”’ says Irwin, with a laugh. ”All I know is that these guys are trying to kill this croc, and that’s a conflict of interest! [Stainton] vehemently believes that if I see the script, then my spontaneity, my Steve Irwinism, will change. I’m not an actor!”