Families Flock to Theaters as “Dog Man” Unleashes box Office Potential
Table of Contents
- 1. Families Flock to Theaters as “Dog Man” Unleashes box Office Potential
- 2. A New Breed of Horror: “Companion” Stalks Theaters This Week
- 3. How did the director’s personal connection to the themes of Dog Man’s adventures influence his approach to directing the film?
- 4. Interview with Peter Hastings, Director of “Dog Man”
Brace yourselves for a revitalized box office in 2025!
Universal’s DreamWorks Animation presents “Dog Man,” a film poised to reignite family moviegoing.Opening well over “$20 million-plus,” the film is projected to surpass the holiday season’s “mufasa: The Lion King” juggernaut adn draw families back to theaters.
based on the phenomenally popular Dav Pilkey Scholastic graphic novels, which have sold over 60 million copies and been translated into 47 languages, “Dog Man” is a visually captivating story with broad appeal. Pilkey, also the author of the beloved “Captain Underpants” series, witnessed his earlier work adapted into a successful 2017 20th Century Fox film that grossed an remarkable $73.9 million domestically.
In “Dog Man,” a heroic police dog and his faithful human partner find themselves fused together in a life-saving, albeit unconventional, surgery. Born from this peculiar circumstance, dog Man is tasked with protecting and serving his community – all while mastering the complexities of his new hybrid identity.
directed by Emmy winner Peter Hastings, “Dog Man” features a talented cast including Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out,” “Free Guy”) and pete Davidson (“saturday Night Live,” “The King of Staten Island”). The film is produced by Karen Foster (“Spirit Untamed”), who also co-produced DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Tracking alongside other family-kind hits like “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” ($22.7M opening) and “DC League of Super Pets” ($23M), “Dog Man” is primed for a strong debut, with previews set to begin Thursday at 2 p.m.
A New Breed of Horror: “Companion” Stalks Theaters This Week
Horror fans can look forward to a new spine-tingling experience with New Line Cinema’s “Companion,” a chilling film set to unleash its terror on audiences this week.
“Companion” hails from BoulderLight Pictures, the production company behind the box office hit “Barbarian.” Directed and written by Drew Hancock (“Suburgatory”), this $10 million R-rated production boasts a significant $29 million marketing and advertising campaign. With a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, “Companion” is generating notable buzz and is projected to pull in between “$8 million to $10 million” in its opening weekend.
The film stars sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, and Harvey Guillén in a terrifying tale centered around the enigmatic Iris, a young woman whose unsettling presence throws a weekend trip to a lakeside estate into chaos.The film is booked in 3,200 locations and will be screening in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, premium large format screens, dine-in theaters, and drive-ins.
Target demographics for ”Companion” point to men and women under the age of 35,according to insights from market research firm Quorum.
“Companion” premieres Thursday at 3 p.m., promising a chilling experience that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Briarcliff Entertainment is releasing another film hitting theaters this week: “Valiant One.” This U.S. military film,set during the North Korea conflict,will be directed by Steve Barnett and shown in approximately 1,500 locations.
How did the director’s personal connection to the themes of Dog Man’s adventures influence his approach to directing the film?
Interview with Peter Hastings, Director of “Dog Man”
Archyde: Peter, thanks for taking the time to chat with us.”Dog Man” is based on a wildly popular book series. What was it about Dav Pilkey’s work that drew you to this project?
Peter Hastings: Dav’s books are pure joy! They’re funny, imaginative, and packed with heart.Dog Man’s unique blend of humor and heroism, and his relatable struggles with identity, resonated with me deeply.I knew I wanted to bring that energy and spirit to life on screen.
Archyde: “Dog Man” boasts a fantastic voice cast, including Lil Rel Howery and Pete Davidson. Can you tell us about the casting process and finding the perfect voices for these beloved characters?
Peter Hastings: Casting was truly exciting! Lil Rel’s comedic timing is impeccable, and Pete’s ability to deliver both humor and vulnerability perfectly captured Dog Man’s essence.Thier chemistry is electric, and they brought such depth and heart to the characters.
Archyde: Animation is frequently enough seen as a genre primarily enjoyed by younger audiences. Though, “Dog Man” seems to have broad appeal.How did you approach balancing humor for kids with elements that resonate with adults?
Peter Hastings: I believe humor transcends age. We aimed to create a film that celebrates silliness and absurdity while exploring worldwide themes like friendship, courage, and finding your place in the world. We hope families will enjoy laughing together, sharing these moments, and connecting with the story on multiple levels.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what are your hopes for “Dog Man” and its impact on audiences?
Peter hastings: I hope audiences embrace Dog Man’s infectious energy and heartwarming story. Ultimately, I want families to leave the theater feeling uplifted, entertained, and inspired by Dog Man’s unwavering optimism and determination to do good.
Archyde: Thank you for your time, Peter.
Are you excited to see “Dog Man” hit theaters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!