Having Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell movie a rom-com in Australia would possibly simply be the right cowl for the right ruse by one of many nation’s largest and most beloved manufacturers.
While everybody has been shedding their minds concerning the stars’ new R-rated flick – which they filmed throughout Sydney earlier this 12 months – behind-the-scenes images level to a a lot greater story.
Bigger than whether or not or not the pair hooked throughout filming. Or possibly that’s all a part of the ploy to distract us from asking the true questions: what’s with the Bunnings umbrellas?
Pictures of Sydney on the set of Anyone But You have cemented a concept this journalist has lengthy held: that Bunnings has by some means minimize a cope with Hollywood to make sure their umbrellas characteristic on the units of movies filmed in Australia.
It sounds far-fetched till you see the smorgasbord of proof this investigator has compiled.
Sydney Sweeney is simply the most recent in an extended line of Hollywood expertise to place their paws (or get their assistant’s paws) on the enduring inexperienced umbrella whereas engaged on their blockbusters Down Under.
Just earlier than Sydney was Ryan Gosling in his action-packed filmThe Fall Guy – an adaptation of a Eighties tv collection a few crime-fighting stuntman, of the identical title.
Pictures obtained by a News Corp photographer confirmed Gosling, clad in a purple bomber jacket standing in a crowd of crew members.
Innocent sufficient. Completely Hollywood regular.
But what was being held above their heads on the dreary Sydney day? Not one, not two, however three Bunnings golf umbrellas.
And earlier than The Fall Guy, comparable Bunnings brolly-mania swept the set of Thor: Love and Thunder set, with quite a lot of the deep inexperienced shields popped open on the Little Bay set in Sydney.
Now, admittedly, this one is nearer to residence on all fronts. Titular star Chris Hemsworth is one among our favorite Aussie appearing exports, and the movie’s New Zealand director Taika Waititi is little doubt aware of the cultural significance of Aussie icons like Bunnings Warehouse.
It is solely potential Waititi or Hemsworth introduced their very own hammer-branded umbrellas to the set.
And the conspiracy runs so deep that even the manufacturing safety had been noticed utilizing them.
As if that wasn’t sufficient proof. I provide you with extra umbrella appearances: Cate Blanchett wigged up, holding a cigarette whereas an assistant holds the umbrella; Chris Hemsworth (once more) wigged up in 2016 as Thor seen close to a inexperienced umbrella.
Ryan Gosling himself was even seen dashing throughout The Fall Guy set holding an umbrella on his personal.
And Sydney Sweeney was papped once more on the set of her subsequent movie Eden, a survival thriller capturing on the Gold Coast, directed by Ron Howard.
Still unconvinced a deal had been struck between Bunnings and Hollywood heavyweights, this reporter went to a trusted supply with inside data of movie units.
An trade insider – who has labored on quite a lot of native movie and tv initiatives, together with motion blockbuster Mad Max: Furiosa which was filmed in NSW in 2022 – was requested concerning the allegations towards Bunnings and Hollywood and denied any form of deal.
In leaked texts seen (and despatched) by news.com.au, the insider stated Bunnings umbrellas had been “not sponsored” to seem on-set.
“It’s literally just whatever umbrellas they can find,” the supply stated.
“Bunnings umbrellas are good because they’re sturdy and big and cheap.”
The insider is, admittedly, not improper. The deep inexperienced Bunnings golf umbrella is $12 a pop, in accordance with the web site, with a 137cm vast cover “for extra rain protection”.
It additionally options “ventilation holes” and a “non-slip handle” and claims to fold “neatly for easy carrying and storage”.
But because the warehouse big says itself: “Lowest prices are just the beginning” … of a deeper plot.
News.com.au grilled Bunnings about this brazen racket, whether or not or not the model was in cahoots with Tinseltown.
In response to in-depth questions, a Bunnings spokesperson denied there was any form of umbrella sponsorship, collaboration or quid professional quo with movie-makers.
The spokesperson stated in an announcement there was “no undercover … partnership” between the {hardware} big and Hollywood.
But, they added, “we can take no credit for the popularity of the umbrellas, this very much happens organically”.
It’s all somewhat handy for me. Consider your self on shut watch, Bunnings. And now Australia has its eyes peeled too.
Source: www.news.com.au
