Warwick Thornton to direct First Warriors feature about Indigenous resistance fighter Pemulwuy
Filmmaker Warwick Thornton has boarded a new feature called First Warrior, the story of Indigenous man Pemulwuy, who led a 12-year resistance against British colonial forces and settlers.
The film is based on the true story of the Bidjigal warrior and the project has the support of the Bigjigal, Dharawal and Dharug elders.
The core creative team is an all-Indigenous group of artists including Thornton, writer Jon Bell and writer and producer Andrew Dillon. Dillon will produce First Warrior through That’s-A-Wrap, which is 100 per cent First Nations-owned and run.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Casting is underway for the role Pemulwuy, who was born in the mid-18th century in the area now known as Botany Bay. He began his fight against the colonisers in 1790 and led the Indigenous side at the Battle of Parramatta in 1797.
The production is also looking to cast someone to play Bennelong, who was captured by Governor Arthur Phillip as part of a plan to establish relations with Indigenous clans.
Australian actors Jason Clarke and Sam Worthington are already attached to the project in unspecified roles while filmmakers Phillip Noyce, Stuart Beattie and Shana Levine are also involved.
Thornton said in a statement, “I am so honoured to be part of this amazing film. It’s an important story with an awesome script and legendary actors.”
Thornton is one of Australia’s eminent filmmakers, breaking out with his feature debut, Samson & Delilah, for which he won the Camera d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
He followed that up with Sweet Country in 2017 and The New Boy in 2023. Thornton also worked on the second series of Mystery Road and co-created the outback vampire series Firebite. He made the 2020 documentary The Beach with his son, filmmaker Dylan River.
Producer Dillon added of First Warrior, “It has been a lifelong goal of mine to have our Indigenous warriors celebrated on the silver screen. I can’t wait for audiences to not only experience Warwick’s vision for this story but to leave the cinema with a newfound appreciation of Australia’s shared history.”
