In Universal Pictures’ new inspiring drama A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the heartwarming global hit A Dog’s Purpose, beloved dog Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond that will lead him, and the people he loves, to places they never imagined.
“The first movie was about our dog going from person to person to get back to Ethan,” states producer Gavin Polone. “But with this movie, our dog is on a mission to protect one person: a girl who becomes a woman. Of course, the dynamics of issues with young girls and their mothers is a different perspective.”
Because of that, the idea of recruiting a female filmmaker—in particular one who had a great deal of experience with comedy—became Polone’s focus. “I had worked with Gail Mancuso on Gilmore Girls, and there are things tonally and comedically that are reminiscent of that show with this movie,” he says.
“I loved the first movie and when the opportunity arose for me to direct this one it was a blessing,” says Mancuso. “I have five dogs myself and truly love animals.”
The director feels that A Dog’s Journey author W. Bruce Cameron’s approach to storytelling is refreshing in its honesty. “Bruce is such a talented writer, and he definitely strikes a harmonious chord between the dog’s point of view and the human one,” Mancuso says. “Mixing that together so elegantly is such a talent.”
As a fan of the first film, the director wanted to continue to respect the audience’s connection to Bailey—and by proxy their own pets—in the new chapter. “In our movie, it’s not as if the dog’s mouth moves or he speaks; you hear the thoughts. If you are a dog lover, you tend to talk to your dogs and like to answer back for them. Some dogs are so human that you hope their thoughts are in congress to what you’re thinking.”
Even though Bailey makes it his mission to honor the wishes of his boy, as he grows attached to the latter’s granddaughter CJ, he further expands his understanding of what it is to be human. That spoke to the filmmaker. “This story is a bit more female-centric than the first movie,” says Mancuso. “I was drawn to it because of CJ’s character. As we follow one human all the way through—as well as the dogs that accompany her on her journey—that is a thread that keeps the movie together. I’m a mother and felt that I could bring a lot to the movie in terms of raising kids and being a woman.”
In Philippine cinemas May 15, A Dog’s Journey is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/ ; Twitter at https://twitter.com/uipmoviesph and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/uipmoviesph/. Use the hashtag #ADogsJourney.
About A Dog’s Journey
Some friendships transcend lifetimes. In A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the heartwarming global hit A Dog’s Purpose, beloved dog Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond that will lead him, and the people he loves, to places they never imagined.
Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his “boy,” Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Ethan’s wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). He even has a new playmate: Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ. The problem is that CJ’s mom, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), decides to take CJ away. As Bailey’s soul prepares to leave this life for a new one, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost.
Thus begins Bailey’s adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ (Kathryn Prescott), and CJ’s best friend Trent (Henry Lau) experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and few really good belly rubs.
Directed by Emmy winner Gail Mancuso (TV’s Modern Family), A Dog’s Journey is produced by Gavin Polone (A Dog’s Purpose), and written by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon, and Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky, based on the best-selling novel by Cameron.
