UNDERDOG (Now)
FURRY FACTS

* Starring in the role of Underdog, the beloved super-canine, are five “Lemon” Beagles, a rare color variation on the popular family breed that sports a dashing light yellow coat, not unlike the original, yellow-tinged cartoon character.

* The main dog playing Underdog is Leo, an abandoned Beagle rescued by Beagle Buddies in Orange County, CA only to find his way to Hollywood stardom.

* When Animal Coordinator Boone Narr first saw Leo, he says it was like a bad blind date – because the poor pup was overweight, out of shape and beyond human control. It was only after an intensive “boot camp” – part waist-trimming spa, part new-tricks school – that Leo was ready for his close-up.

* Jason Lee (“My Name Is Earl”) brought his own hilarious personality to voicing Underdog. “I just set out to be me in the body of this cute little Beagle,” he says. “What I like about him is that he starts out with this kind of clumsy, likeable quality, not really knowing what life has in store for him, and becomes an incredible superhero.”

* Boone Narr describes Leo as cantankerous, mischievous and full of attitude – but uncannily ready to work the minute a camera is rolling. His fearlessness made him the perfect canine action hero.

* Boone had to search across America to find four more Lemon Beagles who looked just like Leo, casting new canine stars from North Carolina, Texas, Oregon and even Alaska.

* A special flying apparatus was designed for Leo and, after a test run, the trainers discovered he loved it! Boone Narr says that, for a dog, flying is like going for a car ride with the windows open times 100.

* To get used to wearing the close-fitting Underdog costume and cape, Leo and the other Lemon Beagles wore blankets on their backs through much of their early training.

* In the role of Underdog’s love interest Polly Purebred are three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a silky-coated, super affectionate breed that goes all the way back to 11th Century England.

* Much of Polly’s role is played by Ginger, who stood out from the “pack” because she had an unusually confident, outgoing personality in a breed that’s known for being a bit shy.

* Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams (“Junebug”) couldn’t wait to lend her voice to Polly – since she’s already in touch with her “inner dog.” “I absolutely fell in love with the way they made her so modern and sassy,” she says. “And since I have a dog of my own and am always voicing her thoughts, it was a lot of fun.”

* Ginger’s two doubles included a dog the trainers dubbed a rare “canine genius” and a very timid little Spaniel who stepped in whenever Polly had to be nervous or scared!

* The underworld boss Riff Raff is portrayed by three Rottweilers who, in a rags-to-riches story, went straight from city shelters to major movie roles.

* The main Rottweiler playing Riff Raff, Bronco, might look big and gruff but Boone Narr says he was actually the sweetest dog on the set!

* Bringing his comic chops to Riff Raff’s oversized chops is Brad Garrett (“Till Death . . .,” “Ratatouille”) who has voiced everything from a sea creature in “Finding Nemo” to an Easter Island Head in “Night at the Museum.”

* In total, some 10 trainers and 25 dogs were involved in the making of UNDERDOG, including a group of “locals” – Rhode Island pups who got in on the fun as extras.

* The filmmakers also used artificial models of the pups as stand-ins which become known on the set as “Stuffies.”

* All the dogs had to go through 16 weeks of intensive specialized training before production even started.

* The most important part of the training was with the cast who had to “bond” with their canine co-stars as best friends. This was especially true for Jim Belushi, who, in one scene, is tied up while three big German Shepherds snap and growl directly in his face. Luckily, since he owns a German Shepherds named Truly Scrumptious himself, Belushi quickly came to trust the dogs were just playing a role.

* Many of the film’s cast members are big-time dog-lovers. Jim Belushi worked with German Shepherds in the film “K-9” and has one as a companion. Amy Adams is closely bonded with her pup and Taylor Momsen, who plays Polly’s owner Molly, not only has a family dog but also starred with a dog before in “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.”

* Jason Lee doesn’t currently have a dog but has had many. He recalls: “One in particular thought himself a super dog and would unexpectedly jump on my back and tackle me to the ground. He was a blue Shepherd named ‘Dog.’ I guess we could never come up with a name!”

* For Boone Narr -- who has trained animals for dozens of films including PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST, CATS & DOGS, THE GREEN MILE, MOUSEHUNT, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE and many more -- working on UNDERDOG was the most fun he’s ever had. He says: “I’ve done just about everything, but you really can’t beat a flying dog!”

* 13 year-old Alex Neuberger, who plays Shoeshine’s owner Jack, was the rare exception, having never owned a dog. But he quickly fell in love with the Beagles and Boone Narr says he worked with the canines “like a natural.”

* At the end of production, one of the dogs playing Polly made such an impression that producer Jonathan Glickman adopted her.

* American Humane was on the set every day overseeing all the animal action and making sure both human and canines were safe. Says Jone Bouman of American Humane: “UNDERDOG is about a hero dog who positively affects a family and that’s a message we think is outstanding and the film got all of our support.”

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ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
There’s no need to fear. Underdog is here! Everyone’s favorite canine superhero is back and about to take to the skies as he’s never been seen before -- hilariously re-imagined in this live-action comedy-adventure inspired by the classic cartoon.