When Australian actor Uli Latukefu was requested to audition for the position of an 18-year-old, he, being in his late 30s, baulked on the concept.
“I mentioned no means,” the 38-year-old instructed information.com.au.
The Sydney performer, who had simply completed starring in native 9 drama Physician Physician in 2019, was approached for an unnamed worldwide NBC manufacturing – however the pitch was a little bit gentle on key particulars.
“I referred to as my agent and mentioned, ‘[The character] is eighteen. This isn’t going to cross.’ After which an electronic mail got here again and mentioned, ‘Simply take a look on the character, he seems to be older than 18.’”
Regardless of considering it was “ridiculous”, Latukefu determined to present the script a learn.
“Grasp on a second … That is The Rock,” he remembers considering.
Alas, the mysterious mission was an in-the-works collection about Hollywood’s highest paid actor, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, primarily based on his life from early childhood till his fictional 2032 US presidential run.
It stars a number of actors, together with Adrian Groulx as 10-year-old Rock, Bradley Fixed as an early teen Rock, and Latukefu as an 18 to 21-year-old Rock.
“I had no concept it was about him … I pieced it collectively and went, ‘Yep, I’ll take this!’
“I might have been filthy [if I didn’t say yes].”
The primary and second seasons have been shot on the Gold Coast in Queensland, whereas the third season, which premieres November 6 on Foxtel, was shot in Memphis, US.
The upcoming season is about to characteristic Latukefu’s Rock extra prominently, and is about in the course of the Rock’s school soccer period and WWE reign.
“We principally evolve into the Rock we all know at the moment … Leaving season two [Dwayne] is hated, he’s the champion, however crowds hate him, they’re booing him, and we’ll see him develop into a extra genuine model of himself,” Latukefu mentioned.
“For this season, Dwayne actually wished to seize what it meant to be genuine and true to himself versus what he thought the corporate wished.
“He gave me a whole lot of freedom fortunately – he’s positively not a micromanager.”
And his partnership with Johnson, 50, hasn’t stopped at Younger Rock.
The US actor referred to as Latukefu personally and requested him to star within the DC superhero blockbuster, Black Adam, which is at present displaying in cinemas.
Latukefu, who performs ‘The Champion’, described how taking pictures the $200 million movie was one among his most memorable experiences.
“It was all very fast … I flew out to Atlanta and also you’re on this lot, which is larger than the Fox Studios one [in Sydney], and there’s so many individuals operating round and the entire thing is centred round Dwayne Johnson,” he mentioned.
“It was such an expertise, to see him stroll on set and really feel the entire atmosphere simply shift.
“To prime it off, he’s simply the best human in individual.”
A star on the rise, Latukefu has additionally labored with one other business veteran – famed English director Ridley Scott – who he collaborated with on the 2017 characteristic movie Alien: Covenant.
“Ridley was very candy … He left me a observe, I gained’t inform you the contents, however I used to be flattered,” he mentioned. “There’s a purpose why he’s nonetheless round. He’s such a professional.”
Younger Rock season 3 premieres November 6 on Foxtel
