Steven Soderbergh’s Kafka Nightmare: Why Paul Hogan Haunted His Dreams

When it comes to relentless creativity, few directors can match Steven Soderbergh’s pace. Known for his boundary-pushing work in independent cinema, Soderbergh has built a reputation as one of the most industrious filmmakers of his generation. Between 2010 and 2019 alone, he managed to release nine films, an impressive feat by any standard. What’s even more remarkable is that he took a break from filmmaking between 2013 and 2016, yet still managed to outpace many of his peers. Early in his career, Soderbergh directed Kafka, a surreal, genre-blending film starring Jeremy Irons as the iconic writer Franz Kafka. The movie weaves together elements of Kafka’s real life with the bizarre, dreamlike qualities found in his stories. While Kafka didn’t make a huge splash at the box office, it has since earned a loyal following among Soderbergh’s fans.

Stressful Dreams and Unlikely Casting Choices

During the production of Kafka, Soderbergh experienced a particularly strange and stressful dream. He later shared with The Playlist that his subconscious conjured up the idea of casting Paul Hogan, best known for his role in Crocodile Dundee, as the film’s lead. The thought was so unsettling that it left a physical mark on him.

“I’d forgotten about that dream until I’d dove back in [re-editing Kafka] and remembered,” he recalled, “I had a beard at the time, and I woke up in the course of one night, I had a big white patch in my beard. I was stressed.”

The idea of Hogan, an Australian comedian famous for playing a rugged outback adventurer, stepping into the shoes of Franz Kafka was enough to give Soderbergh nightmares.

Paul Hogan’s Rise and Fall

For those unfamiliar, Paul Hogan became a global sensation after starring in Crocodile Dundee, a surprise hit that made him synonymous with Australian culture. Despite winning a Golden Globe for his performance, Hogan’s acting range was limited, and he was mostly known for playing tough, down-to-earth Aussies. After his initial success, Hogan struggled to maintain his momentum. His 1990 film Almost an Angel flopped, and by the time Kafka was released, his star power had faded. In 1996, he appeared in Flipper, but by then, he was overshadowed by co-stars like Elijah Wood—and even the dolphin.

Kafka’s Legacy and Soderbergh’s Relief

Looking back, it’s clear that casting Hogan as Kafka would have been a misstep. Jeremy Irons brought a depth and intensity to the role that Hogan simply couldn’t match. Soderbergh himself admitted that making Kafka was already a “frustrating” experience, and the last thing he needed was an out-of-place comedian on set. The director’s nightmare serves as a reminder of how crucial casting decisions can be—and how even the most successful filmmakers aren’t immune to stress-induced dreams.