Screen Queensland has announced the commencement of filming for SPIT, the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Australian comedy Gettin' Square. As with the original, the story will mostly centre in and around the Gold Coast, with filming also taking place in Toowoomba and Brisbane through to May 2024.
Written by Gold Coast-based writer and lawyer Christopher Nyst, SPIT brings back the beloved character Johnny (Spit) Spitieri, portrayed by the acclaimed Australian actor David Wenham. The film is produced by Trish Lake of Queensland-based Freshwater Pictures alongside Greg Duffy, Felicity McVay and David Wenham himself.
Returning cast includes Helen Thomson, David Field, David Roberts and Gary Sweet, with Spit also introducing new characters to be played by Arlo Green, Ayik Daniel Chut Deng, Sam and Teagan Rybka (The Rybka Twins) and Sami Afuni among others. The film provides audiences with a subtle nod to the iconic legacy of Gettin' Square, while adding a fresh perspective on contemporary Australia, initiating a conversation about what it means to be Australian today.
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said that the agency is enthusiastic about supporting the team behind the 2003 hit Gettin' Square with this sequel.
"With Queensland's vibrant locations and the iconic nature of the original film, SPIT promises to once again captivate audiences with its unique blend of humour and heart.
"We are extremely proud to back diverse Queensland stories which entertain audiences both here and globally, including series like Boy Swallows Universe, Black Snow and Troppo. Feature films such as Audrey, which recently made a splash at SXSW in the US, and upcoming productions How to Make Gravy and SPIT continue the homegrown legacy Screen Queensland is helping to build for our state's screen sector."
Supported through the Screen Finance Fund, SPIT stands to inject approximately $7.2 million into the state economy while creating 120 employment opportunities for local cast, crew and creatives, alongside an additional 250 extras poised to enrich the local production.
SPIT continues the story of Johnny Spitieri, who finds himself locked up in an immigration detention centre upon his return to Australia. With old enemies on his tail and a target on his back, Spitieri navigates a series of comedic misadventures, sharing with his fellow detainees the meaning of mateship and what it is to be truly Australian.
David Wenham said that "barely a day goes by when I am not asked about Johnny Spitieri, a character I played more than 20 years ago. Spit was a character that endeared himself to audiences-bad habits, bad haircut and bad fashion aside, he was the quintessential Everyman, a little man doing his best under seemingly impossible circumstances.
"With turmoil all around, there has never been a greater need for a laugh. The same creative team behind Gettin' Square has been working on SPIT for six years. It's now time to make the film and let SPIT loose."
Queensland producer Trish Lake says that it's particularly gratifying to be making a film that has such a diverse cast reflecting Australia in the 2020s.
"Australia has seen a lot of changes in 22 years, and while SPIT holds onto many of the values of the original movie, it's definitely a story that resonates with contemporary audiences.
"We want to make a new movie that is exciting and that embraces the Gold Coast and Queensland culture, but one that will stand the test of time, just like the original has done."
Returning crew includes Garry Phillips ACS as Director of Photography, Nick McCallum as Production Designer, Julie Forster as Consulting Line Producer, Greg Apps as Casting Director, Sheila Lind as Production Account and Tess Natoli as Hair and Make-up Designer.
SPIT received major production investment from Screen Australia with local distribution by Transmission Films and international sales managed by Moviehouse Entertainment.
