Why a Hollywood filmmaker has been using the footy Roosters star names in his movies and TV shows for years

• Many players have been mentioned
• Even club president Nick Politis is featured
• Players have only just found out ahead of the Las Vegas NRL matches

Sydney Roosters stars, including former fullback Mitchell Pearce, retired captain Boyd Cordner and even club president Nick Politis, have been immortalized at Holwood – and they weren’t quite aware of it.

The Chooks are currently in the United States preparing for their historic match against the Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and have just discovered that the club has been featured in Hollywood films and TV shows for years.

Former Sydney resident Josh Brandon invited Roosters players to his home in Los Angeles last week for a barbecue, where a Tricolors fan revealed his cheeky references.

Among the best was the reference to Politis. A stubborn character from Bad Tenant has shared his name, leaving Roosters players in stitches.

“Mr. Politis is not a man to be trifled with, son,” says a man standing over a character he has just attacked in the film.

‘You’ve got two days or you’ll be done, my friend. Two days.’

Other references included Pierce as a character on the Fox drama Houdini and Doyle, a tribute to former Captain Boyd Cordner on the SyFy Network show Haven and even a character named after coach Trent Robinson in the movie City of Love.

Other past and present players to be featured in Brandon’s work include Jared, Iria Hargreaves, Michael Jennings, Luke Keary, Mitch Aubusson, Angus Crichton, Sitili Toponiwa, Daniel Tupou, Brett Morris, Joey Manu and Lindsay Collins.

Even NRLW star Isabel Kelly and life member Cathy King got a nod.

“My family have always been Roosters fans,” Brandon, who also co-wrote William Shatner’s book Boldly Go, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“My dad and grandfather would always take me to games and we bonded over our love for the Roosters.

I’ve been back to every major final, and traveled to England for the World Club Challenge. I’ve converted my wife into a Roosters fan and she’s an American.

This is not the first time the NRL has been linked to the US entertainment industry.

The most famous connection between the NRL and Hollywood is undoubtedly three-time Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe, who is also part-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

But there have been many other links between the Australian Rules Rules rules football code and the silver screen over the years.

Former Manly, South Sydney and North Queensland strongman Ian Roberts has also achieved an impressive CV in Hollywood.

He landed roles in films such as Red Dust alongside Hilary Swank, Disgrace with John Malkovich, and Gods of Egypt with Nikolai Coster-Waldau.

He recently starred in the satirical sci-fi TV show The Adventures of the West Bros., which was inspired by filmmaking techniques used between 1930 and 1950.

Former Manly and South Sydney star Matt Nable, who also works at broadcaster Fox Sports, has also built a strong acting CV.

On top of his breakout role as Grub in the football film The Final Winter, Nable also appeared alongside Robert De Niro, Clive Owen and Jason Statham in the 2011 film Killer Elite and with Vin Diesel in the 2013 sci-fi thriller Riddick.

Former Neighbors actor Ben Lawson also managed to sneak a bit of rugby league folklore into Hollywood while starring in the highly acclaimed Netflix show Firefly Lane.

He managed to get the costume and wardrobe department to buy the old Queensland Maroons jersey he was wearing on the show. He was also shown wearing an old North Queensland Cowboys NRL strip.

And who can forget the awkward moment when American actor John Cusack wore an Australian kangaroo jersey in the 1985 Hollywood film The Sure Thing.

Cusack wore the shirt three times during the film, but claimed it was just a random wardrobe choice. More like a football fan like Brandon pitched him.