7de laan star to play Hansie
2006-08-17 09:22
George - Francois Rautenbach aka Tiaan Terblanche from popular soapie 7de Laan will portray the role of Hansie Cronje in a film about the former cricket hero's life.
The film is due for release in 2007.
Hansie's brother Frans Cronje, told Die Burger: "We're nearly ready to start working on the film about Hansie's life."
The former Proteas cricket captain was in the news again the past two weeks with the judicial inquest into the 2002 plane crash which claimed his life.
Frans said nothing new was brought to light during the investigation.
"All the information, apart from the judge's ruling, has already been included in the book about Hansie's life.
"The film about Hansie's life is based on the book. I gave the reasons why the book was written in the prologue and the same reasons apply to making the film. Hansie's life was a tapestry of success, failures and drama and people can learn from it.
"It's also important that Hansie's story is told in a balanced way. We hope that everyone who supported us during the King commission of inquiry and Hansie's death will get closure.
"It will be a full-length film of at least 90 minutes and Regardt van den Bergh will help direct.
"We've already done all the interviews for the book, but obviously the contents will be adapted for film and the 90 minutes at our disposal."
Rautenbach said: "It's a great honour to play the role of Hansie. The film won't portray Hansie as a hero or a thug, but rather the person he was."
Asked who will portray the role of Bertha, Hansie's wife, Frans joked: "Perhaps Meg Ryan?"
According to Frans, the entire family supports the project, including Bertha, 34, who has remarried and is living in George.