George Burgess looked unrecognisable when he was spotted on the set of his new movie Beast in Me on Wednesday.
The former NRL star’s clean-cut looks from yesteryear were a distant memory as he got into character for his second big-screen outing alongside Russell Crowe.
Burgess, 32, looked at ease in a green T-shirt as he chatted to a female co-worker on the set of the Stan Original Film.
He wore his lengthy locks back off his face, and sported an unkempt beard, as he smoked a cigarette by a ute ahead of a lengthy night shoot.
Also pictured on set was actor Daniel MacPherson who wasn’t shy about flaunting he’s well-honed physique during takes.
The former Neighbours star, 44, made the most of the sensational Sydney weather by enjoying the balmy day shirtless, but for a pair of loose-fitting navy shorts worn low on his hips.
George Burgess looked unrecognisable when he was spotted on the set of his new movie Beast in Me on Wednesday. Pictured
The former NRL star’s clean cut looks from yesteryear were a distant memory as he got into character for his second big screen outing alongside Russell Crowe
Burgess, 32, looked at ease in a green T-shirt as he chatted to a female co-worker on the set of the Stan Original Film
He later emerged from his trailer in character as devoted family man Patton James in a white shirt and grey suit pants.
Beast in Me centres around Patton (MacPherson), a devoted family man and former mixed martial artist, who had vowed to leave his fighting career behind.
When his brother is severely injured and financial pressures loom, Patton is thrust back into the ring to train.
The Stan Original Film also stars Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, Luke Hemsworth and nine-time world champion martial artist Bren Foster.
Australian singer-songwriter Amy Shark will also be making her feature film debut.
Variety reported last September that the US-produced film was to be co-written by Crowe alongside American screenwriter David Frigerio, who is also a producer on the movie.
Details released about the film reveal it is set in the highly competitive and brutal world of MMA where Crowe portrays a veteran trainer.
The actor helps MacPherson’s character get back into shape for a significant bout at the leading MMA event One Championship.
He wore his lengthy locks back off his face, and sported an unkempt beard, as he smoked a cigarette ahead of a lengthy night shoot
Burgess and the mystery woman happily chatted during their break
Also pictured on set was actor Daniel MacPherson who wasn’t shy about flaunting he’s well-honed physique during takes. Pictured
The former Neighbours star, 44, made the most of the sensational Sydney weather by enjoying the balmy day shirtless, but for a pair of loose fitting navy shorts worn low on his hips
The sighting comes after Burgess was recently seen embracing the single life after splitting from his wife Joanna King in 2023 following seven years of marriage.
He looked almost unrecognisable as he partied at a nightclub in Sydney’s once-infamous Kings Cross over the weekend.
Just a couple of months after moving out of the family home following his marriage split, Burgess was spotted on dating apps, Tinder and Raya.
Former model Joanna, now an interior designer, reportedly moved back to Queensland with her parents.
Sources close to the player confirmed to Daily Mail Australia at the time that he left the property he shared with Joanna in March and relocated to an apartment in Bondi.
Insiders claimed the couple, who have three children together and were once thought to be inseparable, are ‘100 per cent over’.
It appears the split was amicable, with Burgess acknowledging Joanna in a Mother’s Day tribute after their
break-up.
This is very much in contrast to the separation between Burgess’s brother, Sam, and his ex-wife, Phoebe.
He later emerged from his trailer in character as devoted family man Patton James in a white shirt and grey suit pants
Beast in Me centres around Patton James (MacPherson), a devoted family man and former mixed martial artist, who had vowed to leave his fighting career behind
When his brother is severely injured and financial pressures loom, Patton is thrust back into the ring to train
George met Joanna in 2014 when he was playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
They were engaged two years later and share three children, Boston, five, Birdie, four, and Blainey, three.
The couple had navigated a whirlwind of challenges in recent years.
Burgess’ gambling addiction has been a matter of public record, and he has been open about attending rehab to help deal with it.
When he joined the Dragons after two years back home in England, he became the first man to play professional rugby league following hip resurfacing surgery.
But his comeback was overshadowed in March 2022 when he was charged with sexually touching another person without consent after he went to a woman’s house to drop off a signed jersey for a charity event.
He was later acquitted by a magistrate.
Soon after, Burgess checked into a rehabilitation facility to deal with personal issues unrelated to the criminal charge.
The Stan Original Film also stars Academy Award winner Russell Crowe , Luke Hemsworth and nine-time world champion martial artist Bren Foster
Australian singer-songwriter Amy Shark will also be making her feature film debut
He made two appearances for the Dragons’ NSW Cup side in August following his time away from the club.
Since 2019, Burgess has been dabbling in acting, a surprising career move for the sports star. He made his acting debut in the thriller Locusts before landing a role in the sci-fi thriller Ascendant in 2021.
A year later, Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe cast him in Land of the Bad, alongside Liam and Luke Hemsworth.
On his Instagram, Burgess describes himself as an ‘actor’ and a ‘singer’.
In January, he shared a teaser trailer for Spartacus: House of Ashur, revealing he has a part in the 2025 season.
