Hollywood actress and stuntwoman Zoe Bell admitted shed did a lot of research on her co-star Steve Hansen for her directing debut to make sure she could turn him into the "bad ass" superhero he needed to be.
The All Blacks coach officially makes his acting debut today with the release of "Apocalypse Steve Hansen – Don't Lose Your Biscuit" - a short film from Arnott's Biscuits revolving around Hansen and Bell saving a post-apocalyptic world low in biscuit supplies.
Bell told TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning the script was written specifically for Hansen and his dry-humour.
The All Blacks' coach sits on a motorbike as he appears in the ad due to be released later this year. (Source: Other)
"Obviously, I know who the man is, but I did a lot of looking at his previous interviews and speeches," Bell said.
"After a couple of hours [of filming], he really took to it, he relaxed and by the end of it there were times where I was like, 'Steve, I love that line but we're not going to have time to fit it in'."
The stuntwoman did admit though she was very safety conscious with filming.
"I was a little bit like, 'I don't want to be the one responsibile for losing New Zealand its legend'," she said.
The All Blacks coach featured earlier in the week in a new Arnott's ad and he didn't mind having a bit of fun with reporters at last night's press conference. (Source: Other)
"So let's just keep it safe, let's just make him look like a badass."
The role of superhero actor was a bit of a departure from Hansen's day job, but a challenge he said he wanted to give a crack.
"It's definitely not a role I'm comfortable with, but it was something I wanted to do because it was outside my comfort zone, and it was fun too which is important," he said.
"Having an opportunity to have a laugh at myself. Life can be pretty serious in the times we live in, and those moments of having fun and a laugh at yourself are healthy."
The short film will play in Hoyts cinemas from November 10 to 12 and can be viewed online .
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