- Title: AUSTRALIA: PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESTAURANT OPENS IN SYDNEY
- Date: 26th May 1996
- Summary: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (MAY 26, 1996) (RTV/ VNR/ SEVEN NETWORK - NO ACCESS AUSTRALIA) (RTV) NIGHT-SHOTS ABORIGINAL DANCERS/ PLANET HOLLYWOOD SIGN
- Embargoed: 10th June 1996 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
- Country: Australia
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA7Y2FX9I1RI5IAKXUNQK8FMOVY
- Story Text: Thousands of fans turned out to see the stars as Australia's first Planet Hollywood restaurant opened in Sydney on Sunday (May 26).
People stood 20 deep on the pavement craning their necks for a glimpse of the celebrities flown in for the opening of the restaurant, the 32nd in the Planet Hollywood chain.
Crowd estimates ranged from 5000 to 10,000 people.
Illusionist David Copperfield, currently on tour in Australia, put in a surprise appearance.
Actor Charlie Sheen, whose new film "The Arrival" premiered in Los Angeles this month, was anxious to brag about his fishing.
"I've been here about 36 hours, and I've spent 28 on the water hunting Marlin," he told reporters on arrival.
Supermodel Cindy Crawford joined other stars and sports personalities at the launch.
But martial-arts superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme drew the biggest cheers as he rode up on a Harley Davidson motor bike.
Restaurant co-owner Bruce Willis arrived half an hour late, and bounced up the walk way before performing with his rhthym and blues band, The Accelerators.
Before joining the exclusive party inside the restaurant decked out with "Planet" movie memorabilia, Van Damme and co-owner Sylvester Stallone spared time for the crowd.
"This country is like a beautiful woman, the more you touch Australia the more you want it," Van Damme said.
Stallone drew cheers: "To see you all here is the highest form of flattery and compliment." Australia's first Planet Hollywood lies in the heart of Sydney's cinema district. The 2,100 square metre (3230 square ft) restaurant seating 350 diners, with room for more than 100 at the cocktail bar, is one of Sydney's largest.
But it will soon have a rival. A Melbourne "Planet" will open later this year in the city's New Crown Casino.
Planet Hollywood is co-owned by celebrities like Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, Willis, Stallone and Demi Moore.
More Planet Hollywood outlets are expected to open in the United States, Europe and Asia over the next two years. Currently there are outlets in 32 locations including New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Jakarta. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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