Did you know Rowan was in Avatar? | E4

We Were Told We Should Do A Podcast - Episode 4
Seriously though, did you know that? It's become a meme in the Viva La Dirt League community that Rowan was in Avatar (because he actually was!). If you're part of our Facebook Squad you'll know all about. Rowan talks about his experience in Avatar for the first time and shares exactly how it all happened. Plus, bonus trivia - did you know that Alan was also in Avatar? Hear more about both their experiences in this episode.
Listen to episodes 1-14 wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop every Tuesday 10pm NZT / 1am PT.
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[@christopherjakel1049]

"Mornin! Nice day for killin Home Tree, isn' it? Hu-huh!"

[@manchesterunitedno7]

Rowan appeared twice in Avatar, and quite prominent. One, in the big briefing. Second, in the garage, standing menacingly.

[@ZinoAmare]

And the walk

[@DeNNiiiable]

the 2nd time looked a little spaced out :). reminds me a bit of the NVIDIA Eye contact thing. Obviously not sure what it looked like over there in real live during filming and how much information they got given for the shoot but most people picked a spot and didnt look around much it seems. cant say i ever payed attention to it in the past. nice work still

[@derekgallagher5562]

Also Spartacus

[@iSirath12]

@@derekgallagher5562 what part? like give me the number in the movie

[@iSirath12]

where in the garage?

[@GS-lu2zu]

Along with Britt, Rowan's an acting legend in NZ, he's been in Shortland Street, Spartacus, Legend of the Seeker, Avatar, 3 Mile Limit, Hot Rob, Home By Christmas, and episodes of Power Rangers (Samurai, Ninja Steel and Beastmorphers). 😊

[@cindyjemutai9812]

I saw Rowan In the legend of the seeker. I had to rewind to make sure he was who I thought he was. He was really good to. Very....menacing

[@Henry-mk9dn]

wait, Rowan was in Legend of the Seeker?@@cindyjemutai9812

[@PinksGarage]

I also remember seeing him in Legend of the Seeker. He was a menacing badass badguy.

[@shoeshank112]

Oh wow! I totally thought he looked familiar when I found these videos, along with Alan, though I am still very new to VLDL so I don't know where else Alan has been. Had no idea about Britt. I'm learning so much!

[@tipperz_]

yeah i noticed him in Spartacus

[@zaynevanday142]

😂😂😂 I was in the NZ Army in 1999 and they used us as Extras on LOTR Fellowship of the Ring 💍 😂😂😂

[@guardian0740]

That's awesome

[@InvaderNatDT]

My father-in-law was too, you might have known him. :)

[@DaveB432]

That is cool. NZ's finest taking a break to save the world from giant spiders, staring in possibly the greatest trilogy ever.

[@Apolloshot]

Their latest podcast they talk about how they tried to be extras for LoTR but weren’t able to and are super jealous of those that were - so absorb in that envy! 😂

[@lordwellingtonthethird8486]

@@DaveB432none in fellowship of the ring ;)

[@marcasrealaccount]

Rewatched Avatar a few years back, and I noticed Rowan sat in a chair in that one scene, was like "wait is that Rowan??" in a very visually confused state, looked up the scene on imdb and found out quickly it was him :D

[@RilezGamer]

Haha same I rewatched last year before watching the second movie and when I noticed him I was like "wait a minute I know that guy from somewhere" lol

[@Eliphas_Leary]

Rowan was also in Spartacus (S02E08). He doesn't wear a shirt. And gets killed by Gannicus.

[@tophmeister3]

Thought that was him. Or was he in the spoof? Was it the actual movie? Edit: wait I'm thinking of the 300. Did Viva do a spoof of that scene? That's probably what I'm thinking about...

[@xxlCortez]

@@tophmeister3 No, I have the episode, he's in it.

[@christopherjakel1049]

He actually had lines in that too. Something to the effect of: "I care not for Sparticus and his band of shits."

[@chubbysumo2230]

Always gotta take his cloths off.

[@disappointingdbdclips]

It's a true waste of talent to cast Rowan with a shirt on.

[@lewischasen]

At this point James should let you guys do bored: avatar edition. "Scatman, you can't keep running out of the depot. You're a marine"

[@ECxTheMaster]

You can't keep running off, you're the general!

[@lxlKHARMAlxl]

Rowan was actually looking at soldiers performance numbers to see who would get a paycut.

[@zipazzz]

😂😂😂

[@goktugonvermez8140]

Rowan you are the manager you can not apply paycut to dead soldier

[@DaedalusRaistlin]

I found a video last night on another channel showing Rowan in Avatar, mind blown. Further mind blowing occurred when I saw a compilation of ads he's been in, and they were shown in Australia - I've been seeing Rowan for longer than I ever thought. Mind, further blown.

[@kyokosaya]

Now I want those Barista Bros. ads back on TV.....

[@DaedalusRaistlin]

@@kyokosaya That was an epic ad.

[@tunglammai375]

Have you seen Spatacus II? The man was casted as a militia man and had a fight versus the mighty Spatacus :))

[@Bricksgaming710]

Lol 10 minutes and 32 seconds people walking around in the background was that Ben exiting the building lol outrageous

[@robertcaie8157]

I looked back & thanks for posting; that was hilarious 😂

[@giannidescalzo2101]

10:32 Edit: I was too lazy to scrub the video, and yes that was hilarious 😂😂😂

[@chribu_]

Walking down the stairs like a normal person

[@DIYToona]

I paused this video to load up Avatar. Yup, at 2:06:01 you can clearly see the “SCATMAN” name tape 🤣

[@andrewj1754]

Shout out @10:22 to the staff at the back walking down the stairs for lunch or coffee and giving a wave just to be featured on screen for a second!

[@kaseyrolow]

As he says “extra” lol too perfect

[@mr.meatsoup5639]

Damn they overdid it and got attention. They were supposed to be backdrop. Damn drama school graduates

[@TayMcKenzieNZ]

Rowan, you can't just go invade an alien planet, you're the manager!

[@mattpetty448]

So what?!? Hamish was In Hunt for the Wilderpeople!

[@mileyardgigahertz]

Hamish, we all know it's you commenting as matt

[@DaveB432]

Was he one of the Wilderpeople?

[@rohini8084]

i love how RWIA is like the most sustaining and lingering force in the whole VLDL fandom lol

[@mollymoon3007]

Do you remember The Guild's song "Do you want to date my avatar"... You should do a song like that "Did you know that Rowan's in Avatar? He's a star"

[@WrathChild-NZ]

Friend of mine was an extra on the Hobbit and she said Sir Ian McKellen was the nicest guy he would have lunch break hanging out on the extras table and chat to everyone rather with the main actors. Respect!

[@Mixxie67]

Yeah, Giovanni Ribisi is an unapologetic Scientologist and that’s says most of what I need to know about his personality. To be fair to him, he was raised with it, but you’d think by now he’d realize how toxic it is. Looking over his overall body work it isn’t that impressive in terms of star power so it strikes me Rowan is being very gracious because it sounds like Ribisi was being a dick. What makes him so special he can’t be nice to a few extras while he’s literally just standing around waiting for a shot to be set up (or whatever)?

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Russel Crowe once said to me that about 12 hours after he finishes a project he starts feeling like he'll never work again and starts getting nervous about finding his next role.

[@leBunkHouse]

Scatman deserves a spin off. Can’t believe Rowan was in avatar?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@Bojackoosman]

I would watch that. Scatman needs to be explored

[@pietbourke3209]

Can't believe Rowan kept his shirt on?

[@scotts8307]

I had to go look! Damn... he's really there!

[@leBunkHouse]

@shakesmilk462 just keeping the meme going 🤣

[@thomasrosendahl2783]

He is almost 40, and being in Avatar for 10 seconds is a big accomplishment? Lol

[@stevepatty3567]

A great episode. Listen to every podcast every Tuesday on the way home from work. Doing an amazing job guys

[@xitaris5981]

If Ellie is going to chime in, give her a camera even if she's not going to be one of the main podcasters.

[@CortexNewsService]

Seconded

[@Mixxie67]

Pretty sure she’s producing the segment.

[@Dumb-Comment]

Imagine him being the native and flying past the main character saying "Nice day for flying ain't it, huhuh"

[@MinaliaGames]

Found Alan in the scene with Rowan! He's a few heads behind the guy in orange!

[@Sachifu]

Your excitement for your involvement in these projects is just absolutely infectious. I'd probably pick the famous actress out of the two options presented too if I knew that's what was going on anyway.

[@JakobJensen-qk8ib]

I re-watched Avatar about a year ago, and recognized Rowan in the Movie. I absolutely had to pause the movie. I couldn't believe it was him. So cool!

[@Speedy_dew]

Loving the podcast guys and gals keep up the good work.

[@FreyjaRKim]

Alan saying "I was a child" has been living in my mind rent free since I first listened to this episode. Not sure why, but it is hella funny for me lol

[@cadeezell]

Everyone talks about Rowan in Avatar. I first spotted him in Spartacus season 3 getting gutted by Gannicus. Remember taking a screen shot and facebook messaging the boys about 10 years ago asking, isn't this the Nice Day for Fishing guy?

[@civilizedpizza5902]

season 2 episode 8

[@TheMonkeyworks105]

I did that immediately after hearing the audio version. I got soooooo blasted , about half ripped me up for bringing up avatar. So funny!

[@GuitarsRockForever]

I didn't know Allan played two characters in Avatar, now I need to rewatch it.

[@RodiaSonny]

Love this and love you guys!!

[@braxtonflake2130]

I never realized that Alan was also in Avatar. I went back and checked out the scene, and I THINK I see him. About 9 rows back, in the center, with curly hair. It's amazing how large this world is, but also just how small it is as well. That is awesome.

[@professorkai2852]

Timestamp?

[@braxtonflake2130]

@@professorkai2852 Same Scene at roughly 2:06:00 into Avatar, during the briefing. I think I see Alan sitting in the back, but it is hard to make out.

[@bondy143]

Recently, a short video popped up on my KZbin that was just the two scenes with Rowan from avatar. I though it was full on, fan made, well done, photoshoped cap. Still thought I was being gaslite until Adam said go check it out. Didn't even know it was shot in NZ. Thanks for sharing the experience.

[@cannibalbananas]

It's a very cool feather in your cap to say you've been on a major movie set. It's also pretty cool that you have this channel where millions of us follow you. I do understand the "thinking it's easy to be famous" part. I always wanted to be an author & had big dreams of my books being well-known, but now I mostly just write for me. Cest la vie. 🤷‍♀

[@brendansullivan7867]

Funny, I don't know how many times I have watched Avatar, and Viva La Dirt League videos, and some how never noticed that that guy was Rowan. Going to have to re-watch tonight and try and actually pay attention.

[@Solmead]

Had to pause it, and go look immediately lol

[@ShawnSlater-bf7rf]

omg I never knew this, and I had to go watch and check it out that's so awesome

[@knoaf9092]

I had no idea! Genuinely fascinating episode

[@Fruckyaupm8]

I finally found time to watch avatar specifically to spot Rowan and Alan 🤣 I even found Alan in the big briefing, him and his lil mop top 👌🏻

[@flaviucalin]

I liked TV series Legend of the Seeker (44 episodes) where this dude, Rowan, played in one episode. I don't remember seeing him, maybe he apeared like 7 seconds.

[@hircineshunter5896]

Richard Cypher you are the true seeker. I remember that

[@flaviucalin]

@@hircineshunter5896 👍

[@MeldrickCz]

Tbh I think that extra acting little bit more would give all production more character and made it more lively overall.

[@Jonty161]

This is a real good conversation.

[@jatzi1526]

Ironically Alan just chilling in a tent, writing, eating food, is a pretty good approximation of a large chunk of a soldiers life, especially if theyre in the field. You mostly just sit there and do nothing lol. Hurry up and wait is the military motto

[@giannidescalzo2101]

I just watched Rowan's avatar scene and good lord this man does not age.

[@DarkAtHearts]

I love avatar and now I have another reason to love it even more. some of my favorite youtube people are in it.

[@shoeshank112]

Newer VLDL viewer here. Thank you so much for this. I would love to know more backstory!

[@cmdrglass5096]

I found him finally it was not 2:06 time but there has been so many different versions of the movie its not easy but the 2 hour and 58 minute version he was in it at 2hour and 20 minutes clear as day . I never noticed I feel bad lol

[@richardjohansen2953]

Thank you. I i was struggling to find it because many versions but finaly at 02.20H he sits there front and center to the right xD

[@revd13]

I remember when was watching it w/ my kids. I had the realization at the same time they did and we all jumped up and started pointing.

[@tunglammai375]

You should talk about Rowan being in Spatacus II. It caught me off guard :D

[@FragrantLizard87]

the best podcast fr

[@catmandrinkscoffee1439]

Finally i was trying to place where I seen him before. Like I've seen him somewhere before. And I've seen the Avatar movie when it was released in theaters.

[@Olectralab]

I think Rowan plays the best manager role, Adam King plays a hilarious sorcerer baradoon and Alan Morrison brings sanity to normally insane scenes XD.

[@MrMcGlinchey]

ive been watching you guys for a few years now and honestly didnt realise rowan was in avatar

[@Krzyshtoph]

You should do a series where Rowan takes over the plot of Avatar as the main guy with his personality clashing with everything he meets. Like he gets electricuted at tech town and passes out. Wakes up in Avatar.

[@williamthomas9478]

After I rewatching Avatar a few years back, having also recently discovered Viva La Dirt videos, I had a puzzled look on my face "wait? was that Rowan?!" and searched him up on IMDB

[@damianyee3292]

I’m in that scene as well. Leaning trying to get in the shot 🤣

[@BlackjackMain]

I listened to all these on Spotify already cuz they came out first, if the video podcasts every catch up to Spotify, or they get released at the same time, I'd probably be more inclined to watch the video

[@SamMaeder]

I was an extra on a couple of movies. The first was "Little Big League". And the other I can't remember the name of. I met a lot of actors because of it which was cool. But yea, I was one that was not used much unless it was a big scene with lots of people. So, I understand what Alan was talking about with the buffet, lol.

[@johnhammonds5143]

LOL, Rowan got a directorial review in "Stealing Focus" :D

[@shivavision23]

The title suggests that this was the fourth episode about Rowan being in Avatar 😄

[@mandelaaffected5059]

You made that movie what it is! Kidding, but I’m glad you were in it still. 😊

[@Infisly]

Real ones know Rowan from the Barista Bros. ads. I remember years ago seeing an early VLDL video and I was like wait a fucking minute he was just on the tv in an ad before the news.

[@wqqdcraft]

i wish these were done live! hahaha

[@reversedvoid5509]

Rowan also appeared in one of the first episodes of power rangers samurai as a kids father who went to war

[@cindyjemutai9812]

I saw Rowan In the Legend of the seeker as well 😂. A very old show I watched multiple times and didn't spot him until after I knew who he was

[@StileJB]

Now that I've seen him I can never un-see him.

[@slapnut892]

I didn't know Rowan was in Spartacus and a bomb diffusal technician. All bran cereal, giving him the strength he needed.

[@Mixxie67]

It’s kind of interesting to me that there is another meme about a New Zealand performer’s experience as background in a huge blockbuster. I’m sure most people watching/listening to this know about Brit McKenzie/Figwit. There’s a great little documentary about it from when FOTC went to the Edinburgh Festival.

[@Rougeification]

... So, like, I've not listened to the actual podcast yet because 00:01 - 00:30 is a straight-up groove!

[@mainlyglitches]

I seen this avatar clip a while back, i thought it was an edit until now.

[@douglass1221]

It blew my mind when I saw it and didn’t know he was going to be there.

[@ivolkovs88]

Once upon in time two my friends and I did a podcast about video games. We survived 6 episodes… and then we went onto hiatus for me to finish my graduation project and never returned to podcasting 😅

[@apIthletIcc]

I was almost an extra in the movie Radio. It definitely a weird ass experience. I did get to meet Ed Neil though, cool fella there.

[@90kalos1]

Holy crap, just checked and there is a baby Rowan just sitting there

[@michael_pilot]

Adam who gives little advice throughout the video... like it

[@notme232]

Somebody already posted the clip on KZbin 2months ago - it's creatively called "Rowan in Avatar movie. Viva La Dirt League"

[@spownism]

I saw him there when rewatching some time ago :)

[@Joecooldesign]

I'm waiting for next episode when they have Hamish on to do a deep die into his role as Steampunk Raver in Brokenwood Mysteries...true thespian.

[@VonDutchNL]

Rowan was in Spartacus as well!

[@Jesus-jq5zw]

I believe that directors just yell a name when in front of extras and waits for one to reply James C.: David come here! Ramdom extra named david: Omg he remembers my name 🤯

[@joshuapatterson5638]

I saw him in Legend of the Seeker . he had a legit role in that episode lol.

[@NoobCraftCasting]

Im only a few minutes in but i hope this talks about all his roles. He was in Spartacus!!! 😮 i wanna know all the things he was in

[@rickrickard2788]

Ah.. That's why Rowan's Sweatshirt is changing.. camouflage... It's from Pandora, military issue... Makes far more sense now.

[@evomrix]

imagine if someone, somewhere at the 20th Century Fox studio vaults has all the unused footage from Avatar and has the scene where the overacting extra 360'd in the hallway......how amazing it would be

[@AmitCinematicUniverse]

Yes, I knew that. Phoenix Cross told me back when we were friends on Discord.

[@Kidnappingfreezers]

Lucky time to open yt.

[@TheClonejackjack]

Avatar is my absolute number one favorite movie and I can 100% agree and confirm that Rowans incredible and impactful involvement with the film is 100% why Avatar was the highest grossing box office movie of all time.

[@mollymoon3007]

He is on the official launch trailer too!

[@MrM_P_D]

Found Alan! 17 mins and 13 seconds in. In the corner window, when jake sully is trying to get his balance

[@EricRanger909]

Yea it was hard to make sure if it was him or not cuz of how young he was lol

[@80sMeavyHetal]

Deep down we all know Rowan got the role by showing off his model face and pose.

[@cielush1848]

ah yees yees, another episode

[@vurrx]

Holy shit. Rowan in Avatar and Spartacus. This is blowing my mind. 🤯

[@Overthinking_Media]

So of course I went back and checked out the scene in Avatar, and Alan is right, he is very blurry, and itr's only by going frame by fame you can really see it. But it is crazy how even though he's never in focus, you can clearly see it's him once it's pointed out. He's in the window right behind the scientist essentially doing the "Metal" hand sign (Pinky, Index and thumb up. Ring and middle down)

[@camwyn256]

I just watched the scene. Rowan looks so tired and disinterested. Totally not even looking at the speaker, like he's just totally zoned out

[@stevenovack3434]

holy crap I knew I've seen Rowan somewhere before Looks like hes holding one in

[@AngriestGorilla]

20:40 Technically, Sam Worthington played two characters too! He plays Jake Sully's brother's corpse as well.

[@TF2_RED_Metrocop]

I seen him in the avatar and instantly remembered that i know him from viva la dirt league 😂

[@Ganondorf77]

Scatman needs to be thrown into Skycraft somehow 😂

[@TRFrench]

Rowen's No. Portland Oregon, Benson High School accent is phenomenal.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

Rowan was in Avatar, but Whang! Was in Gotham featured pretty prominently as one of the Joker's Henchmen.