Production is underway on Amblin Partner’s follow-up to 2017’s A Dog’s Purpose.
Dennis Quaid will return to star in A Dog’s Journey, along with Josh Gad, who voiced the titular dog Bailey in the first film. Glow breakout Betty Gilpin will also star in the sequel, along with franchise newcomers Marg Helgenberger, Henry Lau and Kathryn Prescott.
Veteran television helmer Gail Mancuso (Modern Family, 30 Rock) will direct from a screenplay written by author W. Bruce Cameron, along with Cathryn Michon, Wally Wolodarsky and Maya Forbes. The New York Times best-seller from Cameron follows the devoted dog as he is reincarnated into the life of a troubled teenager.
A Dog’s Journey will be co-financed and co-produced by Walden Media and Alibaba Pictures, with Gavin Polone returning to produce.
“We are excited to join with our partners at Walden Media and Alibaba Pictures to produce A Dog’s Journey, the follow-up to our successful A Dog’s Purpose,” Amblin president and co-CEO Jeff Small said Sunday in a statement. “With director Gail Mancuso at the helm, we can’t wait to share another beautiful story about the special bond between humans and their treasured dogs.”
Added Walden Media’s Frank Smith: “A Dog’s Purpose beautifully conveyed the unconditional love dogs bring to our families and lives, and we are excited to be portraying this unbreakable bond once again with A Dog’s Journey, produced together with Amblin Partners and Alibaba Pictures.”
A Dog’s Purpose, which also starred Britt Robertson (Girlboss) and K.J. Apa (Riverdale), grossed $196 million at the global box office, $88 million of which was from China.
“Our mission is to be a gateway for Hollywood into China and help great universal stories with positive energy maximize their potential with audiences in China and around the world,” said Alibaba Pictures president Wei Zhang. “A Dog’s Purpose was embraced by audiences globally with great storytelling and a heartwarming message.”
A Dog’s Journey is set for a May 17, 2019, domestic release via Universal Pictures. Uni will also distribute the film in select international territories.
