Still dreaming? Twenty years after The Castle became an unlikely Aussie blockbuster we reveal where the stars are now - and not everyone is still feeling the serenity

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The iconic low-budget Australian film The Castle won hearts across the country in 1997.

But while 20 years on the true blue battler tale is still familiar with Australians, the cast have changed a lot. 

In fact, not all the stars went on to have glittering careers.

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Where are The Castle cast now 20 years on? From Hollywood megastar Eric Bana to TV role regulars and a convicted criminal (pictured: 1997)

The film centered around a working-class family from Melbourne who are told they must vacate their beloved family home to allow for infrastructural airport expansion. 

For some, it was the first major acting role that launched and propelled their acting careers.

The flick won an AFI Award for Best Original Screenplay and was awarded the Australian Boxoffice Achievement Award for Australian Movie Of The Year.

Two decades later, the stars of the quintessential Aussie movie have gone on to varying careers, with Hollywood megastars, TV stars, a freelance corporate trainer and an owner of an acclaimed production company among the alumni. 

Eric Bana: Con Petropoulous (Tracey's husband)

Then: The Castle was Hollywood megastar Eric Bana's first film role, in which he played the much-loved amateur kickboxer who wed Tracey Kerrigan

Now: Eric is now a household Hollywood name, with the actor cutting his teeth in local TV roles before catching the globe's attention of in 2001's Black Hawk Down and as the Marvel hero Hulk in 2003

The Castle was Hollywood megastar Eric Bana's first film role, in which he played the much-loved amateur kickboxer who wed Tracey Kerrigan.

The actor cut his teeth in local TV roles before catching the globe's attention of in 2001's Black Hawk Down and as the Marvel hero Hulk in 2003.

Speaking to News.com.au Eric joked that reflecting on his film screen debut 20 years on was 'ageing', but will always be appreciative of the opportunity and memories.

'To this day it was the funniest table reading of a script I’ve ever been a part of,' he said, before adding: 'It wasn’t a shock that it turned into such a much-loved comedy. I think it holds up pretty well today.'

Eric has at least two flicks due for cinema release this year, including King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and The Forgiven.

Sophie Lee: Tracey Petropoulous (nee Kerrigan) (daughter)

Then: Acting alongside Eric as his lover and wife, Sophie Lee played the Kerrigan family's only daughter and father Darryl's (Michael Caton) suspected favourite child

Now: Sophie is a known TV star, best known for her pre-Castle roles in The Flying Doctors and Muriel's Wedding, with her last known acting appearance in 2014 for Puberty Blues

Acting alongside Eric as his lover and wife, Sophie Lee played the Kerrigan family's only daughter and father Darryl's (Michael Caton) suspected favourite child.

The actress' career moved in a different direction to Eric's, with Sophie appearing in numerous Australian films and TV series since The Castle.

She's best known for her pre-Castle roles in The Flying Doctors and Muriel's Wedding, with her last known acting appearance in 2014 for Puberty Blues. 

Michael Caton: Darryl Kerrigan (father)

Then: Michael Caton was the king of the castle, proud father and stereotypical 'Aussie battler' who put up a fight to protect his family's home from compulsory acquisition

Now: At 73, Michael's carer after The Castle is still going strong today, having appeared in well-known TV roles since, including All Saints and Packed to the Rafters and most recently starring in Australian flick Last Cab to Darwin in 2015

He was the king of the castle, proud father and stereotypical 'Aussie battler' who put up a fight to protect his family's home from compulsory acquisition.

Actor Michael Caton, now 73, had already been a screen star for almost 30 years when he appeared in The Castle and is still going strong today.

His long career in film and television has seen him in well-known TV roles since, including All Saints and Packed to the Rafters.

Michael has only been in two movies after the 1997 classic, including The Interview in 1998 and Last Cab to Darwin in 2015.

He also been the host of two very popular Australian real estate shows, Channel Seven's Hot Property and Nine Network's Hot Auctions. 

Anne Tenney: Sal Kerrigan (mother)

Then: Anne Tenney's motherly character, Sal, often served up simple dishes like rissoles or sponge cake for her husband and adoring family, which became a running gag in the flick

Now: Since appearing on The Castle, the actress has appeared in TV series' Water Rats, All Saints, Always Greener and Headland and more recently took to theater in the 2016 play Let's Talk About You

Anne Tenney's motherly character often served up simple dishes for her husband and adoring family, which became a running gag in the flick, including rissoles, sponge cake and ice cream. 

The actress, now 63, had her first major acting role on A Country Practice from 1981 to 1985 and after The Castle, Anne appeared on TV series' Water Rats, All Saints, Always Greener and Headland.

More recently she took to theater in the 2016 play Let's Talk About You.

Tiriel Mora: Dennis Denuto (family lawyer)

Then: While Tiriel Mora portrayed family lawyer Dennis Denuto in the film, the star found himself on the other side of the law 15 years later

Now: He's had a busy media career since The Castle, but In 2012 he made headlines for being convicted of assaulting his wife of nine years

While Tiriel Mora portrayed family lawyer Dennis Denuto in the film, the star found himself on the other side of the law 15 years later.

In 2012, he was convicted of assaulting his wife of nine years.

He's had a busy career since The Castle, acting in TV shows All Saints, Janet King and Underbelly, appearing in films King Kong and Queen Of The Damned, as well as voicing a children's character in the flick Happy Feet.

Wayne Hope: Wayne Kerrigan (eldest son)

Then: Wayne Hope played the black sheep of the family who ends up in jail for armed robbery, despite family lawyer Dennis' best efforts to defend him

Now: The actor turned to writing and producing after The Castle, starting acclaimed production company Gristmill with wife, Robyn Butler(pictured). Titles made by the production company include Upper Middle Bogan and Little Lunch, which Wayne has guest-starred in

Wayne played the black sheep of the family who ends up in jail for armed robbery, despite family lawyer Dennis' best efforts to defend him.

The actor turned to writing and producing after The Castle, starting acclaimed production company Gristmill with wife, Robyn Butler.

The company has launched 10 titles since, including Upper Middle Bogan, The Librarians and Little Lunch, which he has also guest-starred in.  

Anthony Simcoe: Steve Kerrigan (second eldest son)

Then: Anthony Simcoe played Kerrigan family's eldest apprentice mechanic son

Now: Like Eric Bana, Anthony shot to international fame after The Castle with his role as Ka D'Argo in the Australian-American sci-fi TV series Farscape, but these days he works as a freelance corporate trainer

Anthony played Kerrigan family's eldest apprentice mechanic son.

Like Eric Bana, Anthony shot to international fame after The Castle with his role as Ka D'Argo in the Australian-American sci-fi TV series Farscape.

He last acted in the 2014 British film The Inbetweeners 2 in 2014, but is working primarily as a freelance corporate trainer these days.

Stephen Curry: Dale Kerrigan (youngest son)

Then: At just 20, Stephen Curry played the youngest son and narrator of the film

Now: Since appearing in the film Stephen has had a steady flow of TV roles and STILL gets recognised for his role in the iconic Aussie title

At just 20, Stephen played the youngest son and narrator of the film.

Since appearing in the film Stephen has had a steady flow of TV roles.

The actor says he's still recognised by fans to this date, and told News.com.au he believed The Castle is still so loved because it has heart. 

'The comedy is timeless and the characters are all relatable, but it’s the emotional heart of the film that really makes it stand the test of time,' he said.