Strictly Ballroom star Paul Mercurio has reflected on working with “eccentric” director Baz Luhrmann on their first film more than 30 years ago.

In the 1992 Australian comedy, Mercurio played maverick dancer Scott Hastings, who teams up with beginner Fran (Tara Morice) to rebel against the rules of ballroom dancing competitions and perform their own unconventional steps.

In an interview with Cover Media to celebrate Strictly Ballroom being re-released in cinemas in 4K this week, Mercurio heaped praise on Luhrmann for bringing the best out of his cast and crew, and candidly noted that he was an “eccentric” filmmaker even on his directorial debut 34 years ago.

“He was great. I mean, he was weirdo,” the former professional dancer began. “I loved watching him work because he was super considered and thoughtful and meticulous about the process and what he was doing and I learned a lot watching him in terms of that. He knew how to delegate; he knew how to get a great team around him.

“He just brought a team that really brought their A-game, and he knew how to inspire them, so that’s a pretty amazing skill, especially in your first film, because I don’t think it’s a learned experience, I think it’s just something you’ve got,” Mercurio added. “He’s certainly eccentric, and he’s gone on to become more eccentric.”

The 63-year-old, who was 28 when he made Strictly Ballroom, noted that he’s “much more of a fan” of Luhrmann’s earlier films, such as Romeo + Juliet, rather than later projects like The Great Gatsby and Elvis.

“I absolutely love Romeo + Juliet, but after that, I sort of tapered off,” he shared. “I think I watched The Great Gatsby, which was fine, fun, but too Coca-Cola. You look at a Coca-Cola commercial, it cuts every one and a half seconds, or even more, and The Great Gatsby, to some extent, was like that, which I think Elvis was too.”

After making his film debut in Strictly Ballroom, Mercurio went on to star in movies like Exit to Eden and the TV miniseries The Bible: Joseph, work as a choreographer, and serve as a judge on Australia’s Dancing with the Stars. Since 2022, he has served as an MP.

Strictly Ballroom in 4K is in cinemas and on digital platforms from 12 June.

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