Interview: Cast & Director of Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Director Ricard Cussó, along with lead actors David Wenham, Ed Oxenbould, Grant Denyer & Elizabeth Cullen, during the Queensland premiere of Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back (2023) at the Brisbane International Film Festival aka BIFF2023.

Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back will screen in Australian cinemas from 29 February 2024 and New Zealand cinemas from 7 March 2024.

Ricard Cussó

Peter Walkden & Ricard Cussó – Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

Firstly, congratulations; not only are we celebrating the Queensland Premiere of Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back, but you also have another one of your films showing in cinema today known as Scarygirl.

Thank you! It’s crazy! We work on these projects for years and years, and then suddenly, they both release in the same week, so it’s been unreal!

Were you anticipating bringing back Combat Wombat to the big screen?

It was always a dream of mine to bring them back, but you never know, right? You never know what will come back, but we were so lucky when I got the call, “Hey, we are doing Combat 2.” I said, “Oh yes.” It’s giving us an opportunity now to push everything up a notch- more comedy, more fun, more drama and visually, it’s just taking it to the next level.

It’s been three years since Combat Womat was released. Has a few things changed visually for the better?

Definitely. We’ve been very lucky that we are almost using the same team, so everyone’s been growing and learning so much. It’s incredible talent from Queensland, so everyone is just putting in their 200%, and it looks incredible.

For this sequel, there are some new additions among the cast, particularly David Wenham. What was it like getting him on board, and did you always aim to get him and have a character for him in mind?

We’ve been lucky that we’ve been working across many amazing talents in Australia, but David was on my directorial bucket list. I needed to work with this man, which was a true pleasure and honour. He gave me everything. He plays a surreal technological chameleon. He was just Steve Jobs, and he portrayed it with perfection.

In your opinion, why should the people of Australia see Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back?

It’s 100% Australian-made, and it has an incredible cast and talent from a small studio in Queensland Brisbane, so just come and support our stories and our voices, and it’s just a bloody good time.

David Wenham

Peter Walkden & David Wenham – Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

Welcome to the Wombat family; how does it feel?

Wombat-fantastic, it’s great! It was a fun little project to work on, and I’m proud to be involved in the movie.

Do tell me, is your character in Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back a “goodie” or a “badie”?

I don’t want to tell you. Suffice to say if he’s one turns out to be the other at the end; without giving away the ending.

It’s no secret you have been doing a lot of animation lately, Peter Rabbit, Mortal Kombat: Snow Blind, a few, to name. Do you enjoy a lot of voice work at the moment, or would you prefer to show your face more on-screen?

A little bit of both, really; they are completely different skills. The voice acting I love because it gives me the freedom to be absolutely ridiculous, which is something I enjoy doing. You can do stuff with animation that you can’t do with live-action film; yeah, it’s good to mix it up.

As we come to a close, why should the people of Australia come to the cinema and see Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back?

Because it’s really fabulously written and it’s beautifully made. Funny, moving, brilliant, family movie that’s perfect for the summer movie-watching season.

Ed Oxenbould

Peter Walkden & Ed Oxenbould – Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

When Combat Wombat first came out back in (2020) were you ever expecting to see a sequel?

No, oh my god, I mean you, you always think about it, you always go hopefully, but when that call came through, they’re doing a second one, it was like “Oh my god!’ It was so cool! And you’ve already done a lot of the groundwork, and I knew the whole team, and I love the whole team, and the idea of coming back to do more and get even sillier with it was so good.

What is it like playing a superhero character that will inspire younger audiences?

It’s a really odd feeling having an animation that had a very profound effect on me as a kid, and to think that one or two kids might like Sweetie as a character or find some kind of joy and empowerment in him pulls my heartstrings and it’s very lovely, it’s really sweet.

Regarding past films, you have done a lot of horror/Disney, etc, and when it comes to different genres, is there one you would like to, such as romantic comedy in Australia, etc?

Yeah, definitely a rom-com. I love a good rom-com, and I think we’re pretty shy of Aussie rom-coms as well. But I think what I’d want to do more than anything is essentially a live-action adaptation of Combat Wombat; I would love to do a real super-hero action film; you know I want to get in front of the green screen, and I want to be on wires and do all that!

Why should the people of Australia see Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back when it arrives in Australian Cinemas?

People should see Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back because it is a distinctly Aussie beautifully animated film, and we’re very deprived of that in a world of Pixar and big, over-bloated so-so kind of animation. Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back is made with heart and love, and you can see it in every frame of the movie.

Grant Denyer

Peter Walkden & Grant Denyer – Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

You played a Quokka in a previous animation film for Ricard- Daisy Quokka: World’s Scariest Animal– and now, apparently, you are a Quokka in this film. I’m curious to ask: are you playing the same character?

Yeah, a slightly amplified version of that character. So I was playing Dad Quokka in Daisy Quokka: World’s Scariest Animal and they seemed to like Dad Quokka so much that they wanted to write him into the next movie, which is Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back. He’s kind of dialled up to one hundred; he’s a late-night TV host who thinks he’s a big deal. He likes to think he’s a premium interviewer, but he’s too much of a nice guy, so not very good at it, but he’s a super hyperactive, high energy, high vibe kind of a dude, and it’s cool. I think I found my calling. I love this!

What’s it like being part of the Wombat family?

Well, I’ve been in television my whole life, and I’ve been lucky enough to do everything, but I’ve never been in a movie. I’ve never been in an animated movie, so when this came along, it’s like, oh my god, I’ve got children; they don’t think anything I do is cool; none of my television shows have appeared on their radar. But this finally came along; it’s like suddenly, Dad, you’re the greatest.

What’s it like to work with Ricard again and working with the cast?

When they first reached out, it was like an organization that was just kicking off trying to make a mark in animation, a small little Brisbane-based studio, and now they are prolific, this enormous studio that’s putting out, well, I think they’ve got like another three animated movies on the way so it’s incredible to see the success story. I didn’t expect the level of quality when I saw the final products. I thought I was involved in something small, and you know, like, not budget but just a nice small domestic size product, but this is proper Hollywood scale quality, and that’s blown me away, and I think that’s why these guys are shooting for the stars.

Elizabeth Cullen

Peter Walkden & Elizabeth Cullen – Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

Firstly, I would like to personally congratulate you on joining the Wombat Family; how does it feel to be part of the franchise?

Honestly, it’s such an immense pleasure playing Skylar and being part of this world. It’s something I’ve never experienced, and it was such a wonderful experience. I had the most amazing time.

What can you tell me about this new character Skylar? Is she a goodie or a baddie? What can you reveal?

Skylar seems like she might be a bad person on the outside, and she’s a bit spiky and a bit stubborn, but on the inside, she has a heart of gold, she cares about people around her, and she’s full of love, hope and passion. She’s also full of energy, and I see a lot of me in her, and I connect with the character. She’s such a good person and very artistic and very optimistic.

For clarification, is this the first time you’ve done voice work for an animation? If so, what was it like compared to working in short films and TV?

It is my first time doing this kind of thing. It was super exciting. I loved being in the booth was so free. I just wanted to try so many variations, just screaming and crying and laughing; with this character, it really felt like I could become her fully. And the fact that my facial expressions were used to inform the animation, which is such a wonderful concept, I’m so excited to see it.

Tell me what it was like working with the cast and the director, Ricard Cussó.

It was wonderful working with Ricard, and Tanya was fantastic in the booth. They were so helpful, and they gave me so much direction, and they let me play, which I think is one of the most important things, especially in that space, because of as many variations as possible. In terms of the rest of the cast, I haven’t actually met a lot of them until today, which is so interesting. And I feel it all going to come together so beautifully, and that’s the magic of it all.

You mentioned before that you were allowed to play. Are you referring to ab-libbing, etc, and just having a bit of fun?

Yes, absolutely. I got to ad-lib and also add a bit of my own spice into the character, which I loved; it was fantastic.

Having had this experience, would you love to do more voice work?

Absolutely, sign me right up. I had the most amazing time; it was so much fun. It’s really a freeing form of the craft. I would love to do heaps more if I can.

Were there any challenges you faced while making the film?

I suppose working solo is the hardest bit; I know it will come together, but not having someone to play off, apart from the Directors who were fantastic for that- they really did step in as characters themself, which was wonderful. Not having that collaborative environment was a little bit restricting at times, but I still like that it’s so freeing and other respects that you won’t be able to tell the difference.

1st November 2023
Written by Peter Walkden

Photo Credit: John Cooper (Instagram: johncfilms)

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After a tragic fire takes her parents' lives, Alice (Lizzy Willis) must move in with her grandmother, Beth (Rula Lenska), in a woodland home. As Alice tries to cope with the loss of her parents, Beth offers her various forms of comfort and support, including reading...

Stopmotion (2023)

Ella (Aisling Franciosi) is a highly skilled stop-motion animator. While working on her newest project, animating various monsters, we discover that her mother, Suzanne (Stella Gonet), is watching and guiding Ella's every move. Suzanne is guiding the entire film,...

Sight (2024)

Set in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2007, we follow a successful laser surgeon, Dr Ming Wang (Terry Chen), who works at the Vision Institute. Dr Wang has spent over a decade bringing young children out of darkness by fixing their vision. Many in the media and public claim...

The Beast (2023)

The film opens with a woman (Léa Seydoux) acting in a room surrounded by nothing but a large green screen. Instructions are given, and the actress is informed where key objects are. Lastly, the actress is advised about the location of ‘The Beast’ so she can react....

The Garfield Movie (2024)

When a tiny kitten is abandoned by his father and left alone in an alleyway in the rain, he discovers a restaurant serving hot pasta and pizza. Sitting all alone inside the restaurant is Jon (Nicholas Hoult). By luck, Jon discovers the tiny orange kitten outside the...

Clawfoot (2023)

Janet (Francesca Eastwood) is a housewife living in a luxury upper-class suburb. Upon waking up, she finds her husband, Evan (Nestor Carbonell), has apparently vanished. Despite supposedly going away on a work trip, his luggage is still in the house. To make matters...

Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever (2023)

In an interrogation room, a young man named Bent Segenius Midjord (Casper Kjær Jensen) is being questioned by an officer named Kramer (Paprika Steen). Bent is covered in blood, and Kramer accuses him of cutting a vicar's throat. During the interview, Bent claims that...

Corner Office (2022)

Orson (Jon Hamm) is a new employee at The Authority Inc. On a snowy morning, he parks his car and begins his first day, hoping for great things ahead.  Walking through the front door, he feels at peace, as if he has come to the right place. Through narration, we...

Jericho Ridge (2023)

In North Washington, Deputy Tabby (Nikki Amuka-Bird) wakes up and prepares for her day as a sheriff. She takes various pills, and we see her moving about with a crutch due to her bad limp. While Tabby has been a sheriff for some time, she has been on leave due to her...

Crocodile Swarm (2024)

Four friends decide to enter an old cave that used to be a mining system. As they enter the mine, they discover a lighting system that, once powered up, makes it far easier to wander around instead of just relying on lighting from their helmets. Soon, they hear...

The Taste of Things (2023)

In 1889, in France, we follow the story of Dodin (Benoît Magimel), a highly skilled chef, and Eugénie (Juliette Binoche), who works as a cook closely by his side. The movie begins with Dodin and Eugénie preparing various meals, and Eugénie selecting vegetables from a...

Golda (2023)

In 1974, Golda Meir, played by Helen Mirren, attends a hearing where she is asked to speak about The Yom Kippur War in 1973, during her tenure as the Prime Minister of Israel. Sworn in to tell the truth, she reflects and recounts her experiences. Despite dealing with...

Skeletons in the Closet (2024)

Mark (Terrence Howard) lives with his wife, Valentina (Valery M. Ortiz), and their daughter, Jenny (Appy Pratt), in a peaceful home. One morning, Mark prepares himself for work, speaking positively about himself to build confidence and ask for a pay raise. Meanwhile,...

Infested (2023)

A group of men carrying large knives and other equipment are exploring a mysterious desert, hoping to discover riches or perhaps a rare species. When one of the men lifts a large rock and finds a strange hole in the sand, he’s curious to see what’s inside. Instead of...

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

When Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is surrounded and attacked by a group of unknown armed men—whether to kill him or for some other reason-, he does what he does best: uses his sword to protect himself and his sidekick Malak (Tracey Walter). After defending himself...

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

The story follows a blind man named Zatôichi (Takeshi Kitano). We meet him as he takes a break from walking on a dirt road, and a group attempt to rob and murder him. He easily defends himself despite being completely blind. Zatôichi is a master swordsman with a...

Lost in the Stars (2022)

He Fei (Zhu Yilong) and his wife, Li Muzi (Huang Kay), go on a holiday together in Southeast Asia to celebrate their anniversary. Unfortunately, while they looked forward to relaxation and celebration, the holiday turns for the worst as Li Muzi suddenly disappears. He...

The Book of Solutions (2023)

Marc (Pierre Niney) is a passionate filmmaker determined to complete and unveil his latest film. However, when Marc presents his current work to a group of producers, they find the storyline impossible to understand and the imagery and style awful. Instead of letting...

Bluey S3. EP49 – The Sign (2024)

It's time for the biggest event of the year. The Heeler family is having a wedding in their backyard for Uncle Rad's (Patrick Brammall) and Aunt Frisky's (Claudia O’Doherty) wedding. At the same time, The Heelers are dealing with massive changes, particularly with...

Interview: Allee-Sutton Hethcoat / The Stolen Valley (2022)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) was delighted to chat with Allee-Sutton Heathcoat, actress from The Stolen Valley (2022), available digitally from April 17th in Australia and New Zealand thanks to Lightbulb Film Distribution....

Interview: Briza Covarrubias / The Stolen Valley (2022)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) enjoyed chatting with Briza Covarrubias, the lead actress of The Stolen Valley (2022), available digitally from April 17th in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to Lightbulb Film Distribution....

Interview: Jesse Edwards / The Stolen Valley (2022)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) enjoyed chatting with Jesse Edwards, director, writer and one of the producers of The Stolen Valley (2022), available digitally from April 17th in Australia and New Zealand, thanks to Lightbulb Film Distribution....

Civil War (2024)

In the near future, the United States of America has undergone significant changes. At every turn, the world is plagued by war, violence, and suffering. This film follows the journey of a group of war journalists - Lee (Kirsten Dunst), Joel (Wagner Moura), and Sammy...

Bluey S3. EP48 – Ghostbasket (2024)

Hoping to finally make a house sale, Bandit is parked outside the Heeler's home, pretending to be a real estate agent. Chilli, the potential customer, is given a tour of the house; however, the tour is interrupted by the current homeowners, Janet and Rita, also known...

Origin (2023)

A young (black) man walks around the streets one evening while chatting playfully with a young girl on the phone. While walking, he stops at a local corner store and continues his conversation. But when a car drives past him, he begins to suspect that the mysterious...

The Stolen Valley (2022)

Lupe (Briza Covarrubias) is a Mexican-Navajo mechanic who saves every dollar with her mother, Adamina (Paula Miranda), to buy their own sanctuary and home. On the flip side, Maddy (Allee Sutton Hethcoat) is currently homeless, with no money in her pocket and desperate...

Freud’s Last Session (2023)

The story is set in 1939 London, where tensions are high as the German forces have recently invaded Poland. The story's protagonist is C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode), and he is joined by Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins). After reading C.S. Lewis' latest book, Pilgrim's...

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Through a montage and voiceover, we are transported into the world of the 1970s. It was a time of fear, mistrust, terror, and violence. And who was there to document all the chaos? Television. In 1971, a new late-night program called "Night Owls" was launched, and a...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Set in Manhattan around the eighties, we follow Dog, who currently lives on his own. Dog is at a point where being alone has become boring. He spends his evenings playing video games or watching late-night television. Keen for a change, Dog soon discovers an...

Before Dawn (2024)

It is Friday, February 18th- 189 days since Jim (Levi Miller) and his fellow ANZACs left home. Amidst the continuous rainfall and long walks, they find it impossible to rest. The introduction is accompanied by flashbacks, allowing us to learn that in 1916, Jim was in...

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 (2024)

After Christopher Robin (Scott Chambers) successfully escapes from Pooh and Piglet (Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey), the locals are determined to hunt Pooh and Piglet, destroying various forest areas to find them. With no other options left, Pooh (Ryan Oliva) and...

Mute Witness (1995)

One night, a woman is alone in her home as she prepares to head to bed. But little does this woman know; she's not actually alone. While in the bathroom, a news bulletin is heard on the radio advising listeners that Ernest Strohbecker and two accomplices escaped from...

Io Capitano (2023)

Seydou (Seydou Sarr) is a teenager who dreams of a better life for himself and his family. Eventually, Seydou and his cousin Moussa (Moustapha Fall) decide to leave their home in Dakar and travel to Europe, hoping to achieve fame and fortune so they can support their...

The Blues Brothers (1980)

When Jake Blues (John Belushi) is released from the Joliet Correctional Center in Illinois, his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd), is waiting for him outside in a second-hand police car. The brothers go to visit ‘The Penguin’, a nun (Kathleen Freeman), immediately upon...

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)

When Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells Po (Jack Black) it's time to pass on his title of Dragon Warrior to someone else and become a spiritual leader, Po can't bring himself to choose anyone but himself. Po is now struggling to find inner peace and is highly...

Immaculate (2024)

Cecilia is a woman filled with faith and devotion to all things relating to Jesus Christ. When she accepts a new position at a notable Italian convent, she finds it hard to settle in as some strange behaviour is aimed at her from her peers. Nevertheless, Cecilia...

Control (2023)

Stella (Lauren Metcalfe) is the Home Secretary for Prime Minister David Addams (Mark Hampton) in London. The affair they are engaged in is still a secret from the outside world, but not so much among their fellow staff. One evening, during one of David's campaigns,...

Interview: Lauren Metcalfe / Control (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Lauren Metcalfe, the lead actress of Control (2023), available on DVD and Digital from April 3rd, thanks to Eagle Entertainment. https://youtu.be/SdT1ikHwBh8?si=Hl9_OiJSRYsOqM4g...

Interview: Gene Fallaize / Control (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Gene Fallaize, director, writer and executive producer of Control (2023), available on DVD and Digital from April 3rd, thanks to Eagle Entertainment. https://youtu.be/SdT1ikHwBh8...

Perfect Days (2023)

Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho) wakes up in his home, rolls up his sleeping bag, neatly folds everything away, brushes his teeth, gets dressed in his uniform, waters a few houseplants, and picks up some essential items, including his phone, keys, and some change for a vending...

Diamond Head (1962)

In 1959, two men arrive by plane from Honolulu to visit Richard ‘King’ Howland (Charlton Heston). After repeatedly asking him the same question, they are seeking a final answer this time- will King accept the honour of running for senator for Hawaii? Once again,...

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2003)

Davey (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) enjoys the life of a small-time drug dealer. He often indulges in the party scene, including random hookups and occasional minor theft. One evening, as Davey is walking home, he is stalked by a mysterious man who is displeased with Davey's...

Road House (2024)

Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an ex-UFC fighter with a tragic past. With little money to his name, Dalton spends his days earning cash fighting in underground clubs. Given Dalton's reputation, most times, he walks in for a fight, and the opponent refuses to fight him,...

The Nut Farm (2024)

In the Australian town of Cobweb, an older man uses a sound detection device in the bush. With this tool, he discovers a group of people secretly living underground. The man is taken captive, and the scene then shifts to San Francisco in the United States. Brendan...

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

The story follows three best friends, Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino), and Wes (Jermaine Fowler), who have known each other since they were young kids. In the present day, the trio are still close friends, but they also share a dark secret. When they were young,...

The Mist (2007)

In a small town, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) is an artist who paints movie-related posters. A horrific storm begins one night, and the following day, he and his family investigate the aftermath. The storm has caused extensive damage; large trees have been uprooted,...

Road House (1989)

Dalton, played by Patrick Swayze, is a highly skilled bouncer. He prefers to handle any trouble professionally and quietly, but sometimes, he must use his fists and kicks to defend himself. One night, Dalton gets into a fight in a club and ends up getting wounded by a...

Cabrini (2024)

In Italy, in 1889, Francesca Cabrini (Cristiana Dell'Anna) is a nun in the Roman Catholic Church. Cabrini is passionate about helping young children who live in poverty and roam the streets. Her dream is to start building a network of orphanages in Lombardy....

The Great Escaper (2023)

Set in the year 2014, Bernard (Michael Caine) is a World War II veteran who spends his days living in an aged care home with his wife Irene (Glenda Jackson). As the anniversary of D-Day approaches, Bernard attempts to book in to attend the D-Day commemorations in...

How to Have Sex (2023)

Three teenage girls, Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Em (Enva Lewis) & Skye (Lara Peake), are travelling on a holiday in Malia, Greece. The close friends hope to have a wild and fun time, spending their time being loud, drinking heavily, visiting various clubs, meeting...