The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Paul was accused of racism when he questioned the casting choice of Will Smith as his on-screen son in the Crocodile Dundee reboot. He simply voiced concerns about authenticity and the stark contrast of casting an African-American actor alongside himself, but the production company quickly labeled him as racist despite his intentions being about creative authenticity rather than prejudice.

• racism accusation
• will smith casting
• production company

Paul initially refused the knighthood because he wanted to stay out of the public eye and had grown comfortable with his peaceful life in Brentwood. However, he changed his mind when his granddaughter Lucy told him that her classmates were teasing her about her grandfather receiving an honor, so he accepted to protect her reputation.

• knighthood
• refuse
• accept
• granddaughter lucy

Paul encountered a Dundee impersonator on Hollywood Boulevard and confronted him out of outrage at the performer's antics. The situation escalated when a group of costumed followers attacked Paul, creating a public scene. The media portrayed Paul as the aggressor on the evening news, damaging his public image despite him being the one attacked.

• impersonator
• hollywood boulevard
• attack
• media

At Olivia Newton-John's Grease charity event, Paul mistakenly entered an exclusive gathering meant for black entertainers. This caused outrage among Grease fans, leading one enthusiast to throw a bottle at him. In attempting to defend himself, Paul accidentally struck a nun with the bottle, further spiraling the situation into chaos.

• olivia newton-john
• charity event
• grease
• venue mistake

John Cleese played an incompetent paparazzo who also worked as a frantic Uber driver. He became Paul's unlikely partner during the chaotic events, giving them an unpredictable ride. However, John abandoned Paul at his residence, fleeing from the authorities and leaving Paul to deal with the aftermath of a police chase that was broadcast live.

• john cleese
• paparazzo
• uber driver
• police chase

Paul regained some dignity by thwarting a car thief on the eve of his postponed knighthood. This act of bravery shifted public perception in his favor, helping him recover from the series of mishaps and negative media coverage that had plagued him throughout the film.

• car thief
• dignity
• redemption
• knighthood

Paul decided to leave Los Angeles and return to Australia after the tumultuous events damaged his public image and caused him significant stress. His primary motivation was to be closer to his granddaughter Lucy in Sydney, and to nurture a renewed friendship with someone connected to Olivia.

• australia
• return
• granddaughter lucy
• family

The production company wanted Paul to meet with them about rebooting the Crocodile Dundee franchise. They suggested casting Will Smith as his on-screen son, a proposal that sparked Paul's concerns about authenticity and led to the racism accusation that derailed his attempts to stay out of the spotlight.

• reboot
• will smith
• production company
• crocodile dundee

Olivia Newton-John played herself in the film and served as a bridge to Paul's past celebrity life. She invited Paul to her charity event featuring a Grease performance by John Travolta, which set in motion the chain of misunderstandings that further complicated Paul's public image crisis.

• olivia newton-john
• grease
• charity event
• john travolta

Relentless media coverage portrayed Paul as the punchline of late-night jokes, turning his simple life into a tumultuous ordeal. Each public outing became a source of anxiety as he faced widespread backlash and negative public opinion, amplifying his desire to escape the spotlight.

• media
• public opinion
• late-night jokes
• backlash