“Dog Man’s unwavering loyalty and infectious enthusiasm are matched only by his sharp investigative skills and his dedication to justice,” says writer-director Peter Hastings. “He’s the kind of hero who’ll chase down a lead with the same gusto as he’d chase a frisbee, making him not just a great cop, but a true friend to all. And let’s face it, his ability to sniff out clues gives him a definite edge in crime-solving.”
OVERVIEW: Dog Man is the world’s greatest cop and beloved hero from Dav Pilkey’s bestselling book series of the same name. Part canine, part human and all hero, the film embodies the best qualities of both species in a unique and endearing package. is significant for its ability to translate the charm and humour of the books into a visually engaging and heartwarming movie experience. The film brings to life the whimsical and humorous world of Dog Man, which has already captivated millions of readers with its playful anarchy and heartwarming stories. The bright and lively animation style, combined with realistic textures and cartoonish lines, perfectly captures the tone of the books. The film carries themes of friendship, loyalty, and overcoming challenges, which resonate with viewers of all ages.
From DreamWorks Animation—creators of the beloved blockbuster franchises Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and The Boss Baby—comes the canine-crime-fighting film adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s New York Times bestselling literary phenomenon: Dog Man.
Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series, which was born out of the author’s juggernaut Captain Underpants book franchise, has emerged as a literary phenomenon in its own right, captivating young readers worldwide. With 13 volumes published, the series has sold more than 60 million copies globally, been translated into 47 languages and has claimed an unprecedented 10 New York Times bestseller spots. This canine crusader’s adventures have transcended the page, becoming a cultural touchstone for a generation of young readers. Now, DreamWorks Animation transforms the global reading sensation into a cinematic event, offering millions of fans a fresh lens through which to experience their favorite hero.
Based on Pilkey’s chart-topping series, DreamWorks’ Dog Man tells the story of an unlikely hero: part-dog, part-human police officer sworn to protect and serve. For Pilkey, the decision to entrust his creation to DreamWorks was easy. “DreamWorks Animation was the ideal choice because they did a stellar job creating the Captain Underpants movie,” Pilkey says. “Because Dog Man is part of the same universe, I decided it would be best for this movie to be with the DreamWorks Animation family, too.”
The studio’s enthusiasm for bringing Pilkey’s world to the big screen was palpable. “Dav Pilkey’s unique blend of humor and heart has clearly struck a chord with readers worldwide,” DreamWorks Animation president MARGIE COHN says. “After the success of Captain Underpants, we knew Dog Man had the potential to be something truly special. We’ve assembled an incredible team, led by Peter Hastings, to ensure we’re not just adapting the books, but creating an experience that will captivate longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
Director Peter Hastings, a Primetime Emmy Award winner and five-time Daytime Emmy winner best known for his brilliant Animaniacs series and his two DreamWorks Animation series—The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness—was drawn to the project’s unique blend of comedy and emotion. “I was first introduced to Dav Pilkey through the Captain Underpants books, which my kids loved,” Hastings says. “Many years later, I was fortunate enough to create the Captain Underpants television series at DreamWorks for Netflix. This allowed me to truly immerse myself in Dav Pilkey’s world. Dav’s books have this incredible ability to make kids laugh out loud while also teaching them lessons about friendship and doing the right thing. Our goal with this film was to amplify those elements and create a movie that’s not just entertaining, but also meaningful and memorable.”
Producer Karen Foster, whose credits include DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed and How to Train Your Dragon, joined the project with enthusiasm. “The moment I dove into the Dog Man books, I knew we had something special on our hands,” Foster says. “It’s rare to find source material that so naturally lends itself to animation. The vibrant characters, the imaginative storylines and the visual humor are all tailor-made for the big screen.”
After a series of events leads to the creation of Dog Man—a smart dog’s head on a strong man’s body—the stage is set for a hilarious battle of wits between the newly-minted hero and his feline nemesis, Petey (Pete Davidson). For the production team, staying true to the source material was paramount. “It was incredibly important to honor the style of the books,” Hastings says. “The simple drawings, the lettering style—these elements are integral to the books’ humor and charm. Our challenge was to preserve that essence while creating a visually striking film. It’s about honoring what fans love while giving them something new to be excited about.”
To achieve this, the team coined the term “high-end handmade” to describe their approach. “When Peter pitched the movie as ‘high-end handmade,’ I was immediately intrigued,” Foster says. “We brought on Nate Wragg, who did the brilliant production design for Puss in Boots 2, and Chris Zibach, who was the lead visual development artist on Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. They’re not only talented artists, but both have kids who are Dog Man fanatics. They’ve managed to capture Pilkey’s style and have created characters that are instantly recognizable yet uniquely beautiful. Every frame is packed with the kind of visual jokes and details that reward multiple viewings.”
While the film is packed with laughs, the emotional depth of the story lies beneath the surface. “The movie is incredibly funny, with plenty of silly and wacky moments, but, like all great stories, it has heart,” Hastings says. “These moments of humor and heartfelt emotion coexist naturally in the story. Dav’s books introduce these emotional layers subtly, and our challenge was to bring them to the forefront while staying true to the characters and their journeys. We’ve explored themes of friendship, redemption and the idea that everyone has the potential to be a hero. These emotional threads are what elevate the story to something truly special.”
This balance of humor and heart is what sets Dog Man apart and makes it accessible to audiences of all ages. “I often use the term ‘intelligently silly,’ to describe our approach,” Hastings says. “It’s humor that works on multiple levels. Kids will laugh at the slapstick and visual gags, while adults will appreciate the clever wordplay and subtle references. Dav Pilkey has always infused his books with this style of comedy, which I’ve always admired, and we’re bringing the same sensibility to the film.”
Sometimes, the funniest comedies can also be the most serious ones. “It’s like the old Pink Panther movies where the seriousness makes us laugh,” producer Karen Foster says. “There are adult themes and references in Dav’s books that add a level of satire that kids might not get until they’re older. Peter is both incredibly smart and hilariously silly, so he was the perfect person to make this style work on screen.”
For Pilkey, the collaborative process with DreamWorks has been a great experience. “The team at DreamWorks have been very respectful to the books and to me,” Pilkey says. “Although I had the choice of collaborating closely, I only asked that Dog Man didn’t talk, and that Li’l Petey is voiced by a child actor. Peter Hastings completely understands the essence of the book series. I have complete faith and trust in his work.”
Hastings believes that DreamWorks is the ideal fit for Dog Man because of the studio’s unparalleled expertise in comedy and storytelling. “DreamWorks has a deep bench of incredibly talented artists who create films that resonate with audiences worldwide,” Hastings says. “They have a rich legacy of delivering top-notch comedy, and they understand how to balance that humor with genuine emotion, which was exactly what Dog Man needed.”
With Dog Man’s massive fan base, the film adaptation could have been daunting, but the filmmakers saw it as an opportunity. “We know how passionate Dog Man readers are,” Hastings says. “And I’m confident these fans are going to love the movie, because we haven’t changed the books; we’ve expanded on them. We’ve taken everything fans love and amplified it for the big screen. I’m looking forward to experiencing the movie in theaters, surrounded by families, and seeing their enthusiasm and excitement for these characters. It’s moments like those that remind me why we make movies.”
For Pilkey, seeing his creation become an animated feature is a dream come true. “I can’t wait for audiences to see Peter Hastings’ interpretation of the Dog Man series,” Pilkey says. “He has a great team of artists who capture the spirit of the books and add their own unique artistic vision to the characters. It is completely in line with what I am trying to accomplish in the book series. I want people to unleash their creativity and be fearless.”
The screenplay for Dog Man is written by the film’s Emmy-winning director, Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness), whose credits include the groundbreaking animated series Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.
“With the head of a dog and the body of a human, he has the best qualities of both,” Hastings says. “Dog Man’s unwavering loyalty and infectious enthusiasm are matched only by his sharp investigative skills and his dedication to justice. He’s the kind of hero who’ll chase down a lead with the same gusto as he’d chase a frisbee, making him not just a great cop, but a true friend to all. And let’s face it, his ability to sniff out clues gives him a definite edge in crime-solving.”
Dog Man doesn’t speak in the traditional sense. Instead, he communicates through a series of dog-like vocalizations, which were brought to life by none other than director Peter Hastings himself. “Voicing Dog Man was both a challenge and a joy,” Hastings says. “We developed a ‘language’ for Dog Man that allows him to express everything from heroic determination to playful affection. It’s amazing how much can be communicated without words when you tap into the primal expressiveness of our canine friends.”
Dog Man’s character arc revolves around his transition from a solitary hero to someone who learns the true meaning of family and sacrifice. Having lost his former partner, Officer Knight, Dog Man finds himself driven by an intense desire to protect and guard as many people as possible. This mission takes on new meaning when he encounters Li’l Petey, a tiny kitten in need of care.
As he spends more time with Li’l Petey, Dog Man’s instincts for self-preservation give way to reveal a character capable of deep empathy and unconditional love. “The relationship between Dog Man and Li’l Petey is really the heart of the story,” Hastings says. “It’s through this unexpected connection that we see Dog Man learn that true heroism isn’t just about saving the day—it’s about opening your heart and putting someone else’s needs first.”
In early 2024, the Dog Man filmmakers met with the film music team at Universal Pictures to brainstorm the perfect music for the conclusion of the film. Given the unique, wacky and heartfelt energy of Dog Man, the filmmakers and music team decided to create an original song to capture the film’s playful, upbeat vibe.
As discussions around artists and songwriters began, it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary project. The challenge was to find a musical artist who could tick every creative box: humor, heart and high-energy fun.
With this in mind, the music team zeroed in on a shortlist of artists who could bring the energy and vibe they needed, and rapper YUNG GRAVY—known for his unique blend of modern hip-hop with retro samples—shot straight to the top of the list. When the team discovered that Yung Gravy was already in the studio experimenting with new music, the team jumped at the chance to collaborate with him. Yung Gravy, with his signature blend of swagger, humor, and feel-good anthems, felt like the perfect fit for Dog Man.
The team met with Yung Gravy and producer DWILLY, pitching them the film’s vision and musical needs. Both artists were eager to weave the movie’s quirky elements into a track. The directive was clear: create a catchy, playful song that captures the essence of Dog Man—complete with clever wordplay and puns.
Yung Gravy delivered beyond expectations. By incorporating James Brown’s iconic track, “I Feel Good,” alongside his own witty, original lyrics, and dwilly’s infectious beat, the song, “Supa Good!” hit the mark creatively and captured the perfect vibe, playing off the “Supa Cop” theme from the Dog Man books and film. The result is a vibrant, energetic original track that will leave audiences feeling good.
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