Clifford The Big Red Dog is an upcoming 2021 American Live Action/3D Animated Computed Adventure Comedy film directed by Walt Becker, based off this Clifford The Big Red Dog Book by Norman Bidwell. The film stars Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, Sienna Guillory, John Cusack, Russell Wong, and John Cleese with David Alan Grier as the vocal effects for the title character.
The film is scheduled to premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021 and is set to be released theatrically in the United States on September 17, 2021, by Paramount Pictures, but Paramount Pictures cancelled Film's theatrical released due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of Paramount+ and it was release widely and limited theatres and cinemas and on Paramount+ in November 10, 2021
Premise[]
As middle schooler Emily Elizabeth struggles to fit in at home and at school, she discovers a small red puppy who is destined to become her best friend from a magical animal rescuer. When Clifford becomes a gigantic red dog in her New York City apartment and attracts the attention of a genetics company who wish to supersize animals, Emily and her clueless Uncle Casey have to fight the forces of greed as they go on the run across New York City and take a bite out of the Big Apple. Along the way, Clifford affects the lives of everyone around him and teaches Emily and her uncle the true meaning of acceptance and unconditional love. Based on the beloved Scholastic character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big.
-Paramount Pictures
Cast[]
- David Alan Grier as Packard the Building's super-intendent and the vocal effects for Clifford, a red dog who is at first the runt of his litter until he grows up to be a giant.
- Darby Camp as Emily Elizabeth Howard, a 10-year-old who has to save Clifford from a genetics company.
- Jon Cleese as Mr. Bridwell, the magical animal rescuer who gives Clifford to Emily. He is named for original Clifford creator Norman Bridwell.
- Jack Whitehall as Uncle Casey Howard, Emily's clueless, but sweet uncle and Maggie's younger brother.
- Paul Rodriguez as Sanchez, a bodega owner
- Sienna Guillory as Maggie Howard, Emily’s mother and Uncle Casey's older sister.
- Bear Allen-Blaine as Mrs. Jarvis, Emily’s faithful lawyer who helps her save Clifford from a genetics company.
- Kenan Thompson as Clifford's vet
- Tony Hale as Peter Tieran
Production[]
Development[]
In May 2012, it was reported that Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment would produce a live-action/animated film based on the book. Matt Lopez was hired to write the script while Chris Meledandri and Deborah Forte were to produce, but in July 2013, it was reported that Illumination cancelled the project. On September 13, 2013, it was reported that the film was still in development at Universal Pictures with David Bowers in talks to direct the film. Like the 2011 film Hop, the titular dog character will be animated while the other characters will be live-action.
In 2016, Paramount Pictures had purchased the rights to develop a live-action and animated hybrid film. On September 25, 2017, it was reported that Walt Becker had been hired to direct from a script being re-written by Ellen Rapoport, and from the original written by Justin Malen, which would be produced by Forte through her Silvertongue Films banner.
On June 20, 2019, Paramount closed a deal with Entertainment One to co-finance the film. Under the deal, Entertainment One Films would distribute the film in Canada and the United Kingdom excluding TV broadcast rights for the latter country, while Paramount would distribute in all other territories including the United States.
On December 25, 2019, a photo from the film was leaked, revealing the computer-generated form of Clifford in the live-action scenery.
Casting[]
In May 2019, Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall signed on to star in the film. In June 2019, John Cleese, Sienna Guillory, Izaac Wang, Kenan Thompson, Rosie Perez, David Alan Grier, Keith Ewell, Bear Allen-Blaine, and Lynn Cohen joined the cast.
Filming[]
Principal photography began on June 10, 2019, in New York City, and wrapped on August 23, 2019.
Music[]
On November 18, 2020, it was announced that John Debney would compose the film's score.
Release[]
Clifford the Big Red Dog had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021, followed by a simultaneous release in theaters and on Paramount+ on November 5, 2021, after multiple delays stretching as far back as 2016 (when Universal was still attached).
Adaptation[]
Comic writer Georgia Ball and illustrator Chi Ngo adapted the film into a graphic novel entitled Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie Graphic Novel, which was published on August 23, 2021, several months before the film's release.