‘Thunder’ dances its way into Disney flick

You know “Thunder from Down Under” has become a household name when the G-string dance troupe makes it into a Disney movie.

Three of the Excalibur’s dancers have a small but significant cameo in the PG-rated “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” the Steve Carell-led comedy based on the enduring 1972 children’s book.

The “Thunder” appearance is basically the last joke of the movie, so we won’t give up the details. But safe to say it’s more cute than gross.

The producers first called to get clearance on simply using the “Thunder” name and wanted to use unrelated actors for the scene that was part of the script. But “Thunder” producer Adam Steck encouraged the casting director to visit Las Vegas and see the show, which resulted in the casting of actual “Thunder” dancers David Harris, Alex Biffin and Dylan Yeandle.

While the troupe’s Australian origins also figure into the plot, the new movie is just one of many pop culture references to show how “Thunder” has closed in on the brand-name recognition of Chippendales, its chief competitor.

“People love to say it. It’s a funny thing to say,” Steck says.

“If you said 15 years ago, ‘Adam you’re going to build a brand that’s going to be an American household name and going to be in a Disney movie,’ I’d think you’re out of your mind.”

He says the trio of dancers got to attend the movie premiere at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood and were a big hit at the premiere party. “Everybody kept coming up to us and saying ‘Thank you,’ ” Steck says. “I was like, ‘Are you kidding? Thank me? Thank you!’ ”

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.