Underdog

[Brian in Mesa]

Underdog Flying onto the Big Screen
Source: Variety
June 20, 2005

Walt Disney Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment are putting the final touches on a deal to bring the classic TV cartoon Underdog to the big screen as a live-action feature, reports Variety.

The trade says Disney has high hopes for the property as a possible franchise for its Walt Disney Pictures label. Producers are aiming to start preparing in November for shoot starting in January in Canada, possibly in Vancouver.

The tongue-in-cheek Underdog series, created by Buck Biggers and Chet Stover, made its debut in 1964 on NBC and ran until 1973. The character was an unlikely superhero: a beagle who sheds his milquetoast identity of Shoeshine Boy to become a caped superdog who speaks in rhymed couplets. Wally Cox provided his voice.

In the feature script, by Joe Piscatella and Craig A. Williams, a diminutive hound named Shoeshine gets superpowers after a lab accident. When he's adopted by a 12-year-old boy, the two form a bond around the shared knowledge that Shoeshine is really Underdog.

The characters of mad scientist Simon Barsinister and Underdog's love interest, Sweet Polly Purebred, are expected to be included in the movie. A real dog will be used for the title character, and CGI enhancements will be added.

 

[Djaughe]

 

[Brian]

What he said.

I'm speechless.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I could see an animated feature, but live action?

 

[Chaplin]

Garfield, Part Deux.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Frederik Du Chau to Helm Underdog
Source: Variety
August 10, 2005

Disney Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment are in talks with helmer Frederik Du Chau (Racing Stripes) to direct the live-action bigscreen version of Underdog, reports Variety.

The film will use a CGI-enhanced live dog to portray the eponymous hero, a talking canine with super powers.

The film is scheduled to start shooting early next year. Du Chau previously directed Warner Bros.' Quest for Camelot and worked before that as an animator.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Jason Lee is the Voice of Underdog
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
April 26, 2006

"My Name Is Earl" star Jason Lee is lending his voice for the title character of Underdog, Spyglass Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures' live-action adaptation of the classic 1960s cartoon, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The cartoon followed the adventures of a humble dog named Shoeshine Boy who became the superheroic Underdog, who spoke in rhyme. In the movie, he is adopted by a 12-year-old boy and uses his superpower to protect his love, Polly Purebred, and the citizens of Capitol City from the evil Simon Barsinister. Peter Dinklage has been cast as Barsinister.

Frederik Du Chau ("Racing Stripes") is directing, with Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman of Spyglass producing along with Jay Polstein.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

Is he related to WonderDog??

 

[Dback Jon]

There's no need to fear......

 

[Stout]

Jason Lee is cool, but this is going to suck.

 

[PDXChris]

Jason Lee is cool, but this is going to suck.

There is nothing that Jason Lee is in that sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, maybe he does not always choose the best movies to make, but makes them watchable.

 

[Gee!]

Wow, the one movie I think looks kinda cool and it gets no love..

Who gives a crap about a satan worshiping lil Brit boy witch or some cars that wannabe humans?

Underdog is where its at!

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[Gee!]

There's no need to fear......

Its "Have no fear.."

 

[JS22]

Looks like your normal, run of the mill, fun, kids movie. I may give it a rent. Underdog was great back in the day.

 

[abomb]

This movie is going to make Evan Almighty look like Citizen Kane.

 

[Mulli]

This movie is going to make Evan Almighty look like Citizen Kane.

wourd

 

[Gaddabout]

Underdog the cartoon = way cool

Underdog the live-action movie = a reason to give up popcorn.

What's next? Live action Tom and Jerry? That would be criminal, particularly because you know they still would not revisit the political incorrectness of the early stuff that I consider to be high art.

 

[Ryanwb]

There is still a major need for Hong Kong Fuey.

 

[Hollywood]

There is still a major need for Hong Kong Fuey.

I would go see it.

 

[Mulli]

Underdog the cartoon = way cool

Underdog the live-action movie = a reason to give up popcorn.

What's next? Live action Tom and Jerry? That would be criminal, particularly because you know they still would not revisit the political incorrectness of the early stuff that I consider to be high art.

That is not plucky comic relief. That is Truth.

 

[schutd]

Its "Have no fear.."

Keep bangin that head, DBack is right. Its "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!"

Speed of Lightening, Power of Thunder, Fighting all who rob or plunder...

 

[Russ Smith]

There is still a major need for Hong Kong Fuey.

I'm still waiting for Captain Caveman the Movie.

 

[mjb21aztd]

lol I think I will defintally pass on this movie just doesnt look all that good to me I wasnt a big fan of the cartoon eaither so..

 

[schutd]

WHAT?!?!?! What about the horribly un-PC go-go-gophers, and The wonderful tall tales of Commander McBragg, Tennessee Tuxedo and Pugsley. The hilarious cat and mouse antics of Klondike Kat and Savoire Faire (sp?). And Underdogs villians? Simon Bar Sinister? Riff Raff? Some of the best in the business. But the best part is that Underdog got his powers by popping pills. BEAT THAT!