Crikey! The Crocodile Hunter is everywhere

Steve Irwin follows 'Collision Course' promoting new movie

Steve and Terri Irwin pose with Princess -- a yellow snake.

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, aka the Crocodile Hunter, has been tireless in traveling around the United States pitching the dingo doo out of his debut film "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," which opens Friday.

Along with the usual gamut of press kits, screenings, TV appearances and even promotional Crocodile Hunter dolls that have been circulating in recent weeks, pre-recorded phone messages have made their way onto the answering machines of entertainment journalists. The message starts out with "Hello it's me, Steve-o, the Crocodile Hunter ..." and the hard sell continues in his distinctive over-the-top delivery.

During a sit-down interview, his last of the day, a seemingly drained Irwin explains how he keeps his senses acute while attempting to avoid the deadly jaws of Australian crocodiles.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO Terri Irwin's account of almost being eaten by a cougar (July 11) Play video   CNN NewsPass VIDEO Trailer for 'Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course' (July 11) Play video   EXTRA INFORMATION Gallery: Scenes from 'Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course'    RESOURCES • EW.COM REVIEW: 'Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course'  • Do you have high hopes for Irwin's movie debut? Talk about it on EW.COM      QUICKVOTE Does Steve Irwin set a good example? Yes, he's a good conservationist. I'm mixed. I admire his beliefs but not his stunts. No. View Results

"I made a couple of very dramatic changes in my life. I don't drink, I don't smoke, no coffee, drug-free. They were some very large changes I had to make."

The film's director-producer, John Stainton, interjects off camera: "That makes you seem like you had a drug problem -- which you never did."

Crikey! Rewind.

The camera-savvy Irwin patiently waits for his wife Terri to finish her musings on his talent with crocs, then politely asks to restate his prior thought. He pauses to collect himself, and in an instant he's back in character showcasing a bit more of his trademark high-octane enthusiasm.

"I've tried to avoid influences in my life that could change my chemical makeup," he says passionately, making energetic hand gestures. "So there's no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking and I back off on the coffee. That way I can go in clear, I know that I'm in charge and that I've got all my faculties."

Another save.

Using his image for conservation

So why does this energetic croc catcher with an apparent death wish have such a stake in promoting his film? He says it's all in the name of preserving wildlife.

During an appearance on "Oprah" earlier this week, Irwin said, "Conservation, that's what makes us tick. It's our passion. We're wildlife warriors. We're put on Earth to protect wilderness and wildlife areas -- which in essence is helping humanity. ... That's why I'm here, to conserve."

It helps that the main plot in "Collision Course" focuses on his fascination with the outdoors.

Anyone who watches the "The Crocodile Hunter" on cable's Animal Planet network pretty much knows already what happens in the movie -- half of it, anyway.

The film follows the adventures of Steve and Terri in Australia's Outback. But, befitting Irwin's energetic presentation, there aren't any dry lectures on the benefits of wildlife conservation here.

Instead, the movie is jam-packed with close-call croc-chomps, high-speed chases and one scene where a crocodile pulls Irwin out of his boat with the rope Irwin has attached to the animal's jaws.

The rest of the movie has to do with CIA operatives who are on the hunt for a highly sensitive device that fell from space and into the belly of an Australian croc.

Irwin gives the crocs a lot of credit.

Steve, center, and Terri struggle to get a jaw rope around a ferocious 12-foot crocodile in "Collision Course."

"Crocs have been on our planet for 200 million years," he says. "The only thing I've got is I've been a bit quicker. ... I believe they are the ultimate animal."

'We're not actors'

The movie isn't all high-energy chases.

In perhaps the only scene when Irwin's life doesn't seem in peril, Steve and Terri happen upon a baby kangaroo at the side of the road. They stop, check the animal and -- upon determining it needs care -- they put a blanket around the little creature, give it food and load it in their SUV with the intention of nursing it back to health.

Stainton, who's Irwin's longtime producing partner, says his aim was to let the Irwins be their normal selves while giving them as little direction as possible.

"John Stainton would say, 'Take us from here to there.' But I've never seen a script. I couldn't even tell you what color the ink is, mate," Irwin explains. "We had no connection with anyone in Hollywood to make this movie. It was just me, Terri, Johnny and Sui [his trusty canine sidekick]," he adds.

The end result is a whole movie comprised of two parts: one pseudo "Crocodile Hunter" documentary and one mainstream motion picture.

"We're not actors," Irwin vows. "Good luck to the Hollywood actors because you have a tough job. My hat's off to you. I'll stick with the crocs, thanks."