A Dog’s Way Home is based on the novel of the same name written by New York Times bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron. The story is among a series of dog-themed novels Bruce has written including A Dog’s Purpose, which was released in theatres on January 27th of this year. A Dog’s Purpose also filmed in Canada; it called the Winnipeg area home during production in 2015.
Just prior to its theatrical release, A Dog’s Purpose became the focus of the media as a result of animal cruelty allegations, claiming inhumane treatment of one of the dogs in the film. Both the production company and cast quickly shut down these claims.
Gavin Polone will be back to produce A Dog’s Way Home, but this time he’ll be joined by director Charles Martin Smith. His previous directing credits include 3 episodes of Vancouver-filmed series Motive as well as Dolphin Tale (2011) and Air Bud (1997). He’s also appeared as an actor in Motive as well as Fringe and The X-Files.
Although the original movie featured Riverdale star KJ Apa and Dennis Quaid as younger and older versions of the main character, the story of A Dog’s Way Home features a different set of characters altogether.
A Dog’s Way Home follows the same theme as the previous movie, focusing on the incredible and at times un-explainable bond between humans and their pets. The story is centred around Lucas, who unexpectedly finds himself caring for a cute, little, homeless pit bull puppy named Bella. Although his building doesn’t allow dogs, Lucas can’t find it in his heart to turn her away. He decides to sneak her into his building and hide the dog from his neighbours.
Eventually Bella is stipped away from Lucas by Animal Control and the two find themselves hours apart. Bella is determined not to let the hundreds of miles between them prevent her from seeing Lucas, so she sets out on an incredible journey back home to him.
Update 11/7/2017: Variety.com reports that Ashley Judd (Twin Peaks Reboot, Berlin Station), James Olmos (Blade Runner, Battlestar Galactica), Wes Studi (Avatar, Penny Dreadful), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocalypse, Straight Outta Compton) and Jonah Hauer-King (The Last Photograph) are among the cast of the film.
A Dog’s Way Home is currently scheduled to start filming in Vancouver and area from October 16th and wrap up on December 15th.
