It’s been a busy few days of Survivor news, first The Amazing Race rumors, then John Morrison competing on Season 37, and now, Russell Hantz on Australian Survivor?
Inside Survivor has learned from multiple sources that three-time Survivor player Russell Hantz will compete on the upcoming season of Australian Survivor, which is currently filming in Fiji. And while we’re still hoping this is just a really late April Fools joke, it unfortunately looks to be true.
Hantz first appeared on Survivor in 2009, on Samoa, where he made it all the way to Final Tribal Council, a feat which he repeated in Heroes vs. Villains the very next season. Despite his aggressive gameplay and knack for finding idols, he lost both times due to a bad social game and lousy jury management. He returned alongside Boston Rob Mariano a year later to compete on Redemption Island, where he was unceremoniously voted out at the third Tribal Council.
If the rumor is accurate, and all signs currently point to yes, it would mark the first time a former Survivor US contestant has competed on an international version of the show. Rupert Boneham appeared on Survivor Israel in 2009, but only as part of a reward challenge – because what’s a greater reward than Rupert?
Australian Survivor was revived in 2016 by Channel Ten and has so far aired two seasons. The upcoming season is titled Champions vs. Contenders, which is set to pit “champions of public life” against “everyday Aussies” in a battle for $500,000. It’s hard to tell which tribe Hantz will end up on, given that he’s neither an “everyday Aussie” nor a “champion of public life.”
It’s also difficult to understand why Australian Survivor feels the need to include a US contestant so early into their comeback, especially given the positive fan reaction to the 2017 season which had one of the all-time great Survivor casts. While Hantz certainly brought a new life to Survivor back in 2009, his name eventually began to taint the franchise, especially after two controversial appearances from his nephew Brandon in later seasons.
This is one rumor we’re hoping is simply bad information, but that may be wishful thinking at this point.
What do you think about Russell on Australian Survivor?
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Only if he’s the first one voted off.
Boston Rob and Coach weren’t available?
YASSSSSSSSSS. The KING has returned.
Horrifying. Please fire the entire OZ Survivor casting department immediately.
NOOOOO!!! As an Australian who has enjoyed watching the first two seasons, this is news that will make me completely skip the season until he is voted out. Let’s hope the players have the good sense to vote him out first.
Awful, if true. Just awful.
Damn! and I have so been so enjoying the Aussie version these last 2 seasons, but I guess all good things must come to an end. I never wanted to see that ahole on my tv screen again, so will have to seriously consider whether to watch or not. So disappointing.
Look at all these people, judging a tv show they haven’t seen. It just looks disgusting if you ask me.
We may not have seen this season, but we have seen all 3 seasons of US Survivor he was on, and he brought nothing interesting in my opinion. All 3 would have been a lot more pleasant to watch without him.
They’re not judging the show, they’re judging him, and he’s a three-time douchebag. He’s not even Australian.
I’d like to see him one last time on US Survivor. Either on a “Legends” season or “Champions vs. Contenders” with the “contenders” being losing finalists or possibly even jurors. S40 (or S39) sounds like good time to make it happen, although it would be a pity to probably miss Parvati due to her having a young child at the time of shooting.
Don’t know about AUS Survivor… I’ve never seen a single episode of that version of the show. But in case the US production is not interested in Russell anymore, I guess it’s good to hear that he ain’t finished playing just yet and we might get to see him at least on the sister show…
Would be cool if after all these years he could actually somehow reinvent his playstyle, improve his social game and in general gain more respect as a player. Not sure if he’s even able to, but trying to play more like on Samoa than HVV would be a good start. Hopefully, if the rumors are true, he won’t be an early boot… Then this whole casting gimmick would be kind of pointless and it would only further tarnish his legacy…
“This is one rumor we’re hoping is simply bad information, but that may be wishful thinking at this point.”
With all due respect, Martin, speak for yourself. He makes for great TV and is one of the most iconic villains in Survivor history. It’s been so long since he last played I’m very curious to see if his game has evolved in any way since Redemption Island. Could make for a fascinating character study.
Well, Martin is speaking for me when he wrote that. And, it appears as though a lot of people think the same way. Hantz does not make great tv.
Awwww, Australian Survivor was so good while it lasted. Lets just hope the people have enough sense to boot him the first chance they have, like in RI. To be honest, even throwing the first challenge just to get him out as quickly as possible would make sense.
interesting rumor. not a hantz fan but will watch regardless
I can’t wait to see Russell playing again, whether it’s a Legends season or an international Survivor.
im so fucking shook
Wish it were our Survivor
I watch Austraillian Survivor on Terrerrium TV. I love it and can’t wait to see Russell
If it is true, the aussie survivor community and players are well aware of the hantz legacy. The only plus to this would be if they did to him what they did in redemption island and voted him off early, finally letting him know he shouldn’t play again anywhere in the world. Last year’s cast would’ve voted him off in a heartbeat. But us super fans will watch regardless and pray the rest of the cast is as good as last years.
No fucking away! I’m not opposed to an Australia VS America survivor but not special guest stars ffs
Love him or hate him, Russell brings life to every season of Survivor he’s on. People who are saying this has ruined Australian Survivor need to realise that it hasn’t rated well in the past. Bringing one of the most dominant players from the top rating season can only be a good thing.
I don’t think this is real because Russel has been active on Twitter during filming
Honestly, Russell is one of my favorite players on Survivor. I think he deserves to win. He should have won. He may play dirty, but he plays the game and definitely outwits, outplays, and outlasts everyone else. Everyone who doesn’t vote for him is just too butthurt over a game show.
[…] Survivor previously revealed that former three-time Survivor player Russell Hantz will be competing on this season of Australian […]
[…] Survivor previously revealed that former three-time Survivor player Russell Hantz will be competing on this season of Australian […]
Aw, you mad bro? Didn’t know Russell was your boyfriend.
Not a rumour. I’m watching him on the show as I type. Should be interesting.
It was a rumour back when I first posted about it back in May.
[…] of Australian Survivor has been a little rough as casting rumours taunted us with celebrities and US imports and the pre-season marketing left much to be desired. But there’s no denying that when it comes […]
Must have been a CBS decision. His participation was part of the synergy to let viewers in Australia know that Network Ten is safe after bankruptcy, and had been acquired by CBS. It was the first Australian Survivor series to air under CBS ownership.
Network Ten went into bankruptcy early 2017 and was acquired by CBS. This was a way to “introduce” the news that CBS owns Ten. The “Sports Tonight” relaunch and graphics package are taken from CBS Sports.
imnsho, Russel is a snake and a bastard. The only choice that would have been worse is S39’s Dan, but I think this was before him. I find Russel overrated, but I think his nephew is actually decent! This is likely a scam to get American viewers. Hey , The Survivor Australian Casting Team? Did you bother to WATCH HIS SEASONS?!