Hollywood is looking for the right golden retriever to fill the paws of the 1990s iconic basketball playing dog star Buddy of the movie franchise Air Bud.
Cineverse and Air Bud Entertainment are in the midst of a nationwide talent search to find the next golden retriever to take on the iconic role of the basketball-playing pooch. The original Buddy (1988 – Feb. 10, 1998) was a golden retriever dog actor who starred in the 1997 film.
The Air Bud franchise features 14 films — five in the Air Bud production and nine in the Air Buddies series that include two Christmas specials. Buddy is played by six different but similar-looking golden retrievers all trained by Deborah Coe.
The new film is being written and directed by franchise creator Robert Vince and marks the eighth collaboration between Vince and Hollywood animal trainer Mark Forbes, according to Variety.
Golden Retriever owners should submit a 60-90 second video showing their dog’s age and ability to follow basic commands. Special skills like running, jumping, or even basketball moves should also be featured.
Everyone who enters is eligible to win a variety of prizes, including official Air Bud jerseys and a trip to the Hollywood premiere. Send videos and find out more on the official website at www.airbud.com/thesearch.
The original Buddy was a stray found in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California in the summer of 1989 by writer and actor Kevin DiCicco. He trained the dog in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey.
Buddy’s screen debut was on America’s Funniest Home Videos, later gaining fame bouncing a basketball off his muzzle and into a basketball hoop on the “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment of Late Night with David Letterman. He sired nine puppies before his death in 1998 due to complications from cancer. Buddy’s story is told in the 2012 book by di Cicco, “Go Buddy!”
Golden retrievers are known to be smart, obedient, and athletic. Studies on canine intelligence put golden retrievers in the top five for working intelligence.
Air Bud Returns is tracking to hit theaters next summer.
