Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - Hunt for the Wilderpeople: A Decade Later

Episode Date: April 7, 2026

As Hunt for the Wilderpeople returns to cinemas for its 10‑year anniversary, Rhys Darby, Rachel House and Oscar Kightley join us to look back on how the film came together, what it meant at the time, and what’s changed since. They talk accidental casting, working with Taika Waititi, life after the bush, and the projects that followed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the 10th anniversary of one of Altauro's most iconic, not to mention highest grossing local film of All Time Hunt for the Wilder People, 10 years and it's back in cinemas for a limited time and select cinemas right around the country as of today. And joining us is three of the stars from that star-studded movie. I mean, everyone from Sam Neal, Taika Waititi, of course, directed, but we've got Rees Darby, Flight of the Concordes, Jumanji, play Psycho Sam. Is it a man or a bush?

Bush. Ma! And the cops as well We're looking for Julian Dennison's character We've got Rachel House from Moana and Minecraft Oscar Kyle, you know from Brotown Ciani's wedding with us in the studio as well I said at first you're more like Sarah Connor

No, I'm not Yes, in the first movie too before she could do chin-ups Yeah, it's very funny and it's lovely to see you all It's nice to see you. There's some royalty in studio with us today I know we should have tidied up a bit more I love it to have you here Now 10 years of Hunt for the World of People

it's back in Selected Theatre's, that's pretty incredible to see it again. It is, and it feels good to celebrate something. In this country, you know, we don't celebrate our success enough. This is a real milestone to kind of go, you know what, 10 years ago we made this amazing thing that broke box office records. Highest grossing, baby. Yeah. Highest grossing.

So why not, why not re-celebrate? We know it's good. You don't turn up to a premiere and you go, oh, here we go, I hope it's good. We know it's good. So when was the last time you actually? watched the movie have you watched it recently or you're waiting to watch it. No, the three of us have, it's been 10 years. It's been 10 years.

So you don't go back on your work and just pop it on on a Saturday night. For every night. No. I'm like a nightmare. Is it the first time generally that you see it at the premiere? I don't know if you do this, but I've started, like sometimes I'll ask if I can watch it on my own just to make sure you're not going to get a shock. And then she doesn't turn up to the premiere.

Oh, why did you turn up? I had an early lot. And it wasn't for me. Pretty incredible you look back at the, you know, Julian Denison being so young, you know. Now he's married and, you know, often. He's a DJ. And all of you guys. I mean, it's amazing to think back what you've all done over the last 10 years.

Yeah, and I see you popping up all the time, Rhys on Netflix. My kids are, yeah, my kids are watching, like, animated shows. And I'm like, hang on a minute. That penguin sounds familiar. That penguin. That was the first thing I ever did. Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I saw that app.

It was a good cameo. And Oscars just said you've got the new Jumanji coming out. Yes, yeah. Well, that's Christmas. He's not allowed to talk about it, but at this point, we think you might be swapping with the rock, yeah? No. No, I'm not swapping. Do you hang out on set?

Like, does he, like... Yeah, he's a good guy. Yeah. Does he work out all the time? Yeah, and I don't know about these. I don't know what routine he's on. He's on different routines as you get older and stuff, but there was moments there where you wait for him because he's, you know, he's had to have his... Doing team push up.

Yeah, we go. gets up at four and does workouts and then he has three different types of breakfasts and you know there's you know that was back in the day that was you know because it's been eight years between Jumangis now so I'm glad we're doing a third one these have been real good and and once

again like Wilder people family adventure comedy and fun masterful bringing it back to the top of two there that's a professional there and most of Jumangi takes place outdoors It does. It does. It does. It brings me back to wilder people, which is, it's like an early Jimungi really.

But how does it work with Tyker directing? I mean, you've all worked with Tyker a lot. Do you have to audition for this back in the day for Hunt for the Wilder people, or is it sort of just a bit of like, hey, got this role, that would be great for you? I wasn't actually supposed to be in this. Me neither. Yeah, I was just helping out kind of just be a bit of a script doctor. And I was the acting coach. Really? And then like a week before we shot

They had a table read and then suddenly And me and Oscar had to read for it We were reading and I was like oh this is a bit odd We were joke about it hey darling during the shoe Yeah that's what I was about to say I can't imagine anyone else doing any of the roles When you're doing like say Psycho Sam Is that based on someone you know?

Me Definitely it's in the wheelhouse Like I always look at that character And I think if I didn't meet Rosie and get married I would have gone down that route. I would have been off the grid, conspiracy theorist. With my army training, I would be able to, you know, hunt and live. Would you be in the bush right?

I'd go bush. I've always said, you know. We've had the question this morning a couple of times, who would survive at both Oscar and I pointed. Do you know all the edible plants in our bush? Your bush. Okay. How do we go? Get that back on track.

Yeah. Hunt for the world of people, the 10 year anniversary. So great to have that back. And so most, we'll put up all the details at the HITstock, code. It ends your best thing over the last 10 years, what's top of mind? Personal or professional? The one thing that you're like, that's pretty cool, reflecting back over 10 years. We'll start with you, Rees Darby.

Last 10 years. I think our flag means death, you know, the comedy TV series and being able to do the second season of that here. That just felt like all stars aligned again, and it was a fantastic. fantastic job. It's a great show. Good one plucking something out for the last 10 years. Yeah, I know. I'm putting on the spot.

Okay, right, Rachel, go to you. Hope for the world of people. Okay, yeah, okay. Yeah, okay. And Oscar. Pete wasn't happy with that. No, no, I mean, you're voiced in Moana, you know, Minecraft. You've directed the mountain.

We're not allowed to, you know. No, I'm not allowed to acknowledge other projects. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, I am going to say, well to people. But that was 10 years ago. Yeah, thank you, Rachel. Yeah, but that's, And Oscar Kightley, biggest thing from the last 10 years for you?

Probably becoming a dad six years ago. Oh, there you go. We can't beat that. That's good. That's a highlight. Beautiful. And we ended on a heartwarming moment. Yeah, we did.

We got a bit there. We've had some weird bush analogy going on. Hey, I am bush man. It's got to be done. It's got a whole new meeting now. Hey, I love to see you guys. Congratulations on everything you do. Thank you.