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Clifford the Big Red Dog (film)

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This article is about the 2021 film. For the 2004 animated film, see Clifford's Really Big Movie.
Not to be confused with Clifford (film).

Clifford the Big Red Dog
File:Clifford2021Poster.jpg
Official release poster
Directed byWalt Becker
Screenplay by
  • Jay Scherick
  • David Ronn
  • Blaise Hemingway
Story by
  • Justin Malen
  • Ellen Rapoport
Based onClifford the Big Red Dog 
by Norman Bridwell
Produced by
  • Jordan Kerner
  • Iole Lucchese
Starring
CinematographyPeter Lyons Collister
Edited bySabrina Plisco
Music byJohn Debney
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Paramount Pictures (Worldwide)[1]
  • Entertainment One[2] (Canada and United Kingdom)[1]
Release dates
  • August 26, 2021 (2021-08-26) (CinemaCon)[3]
  • November 10, 2021 (2021-11-10) (United States)
  • December 10, 2021 (2021-12-10) (United Kingdom)
Running time
96 minutes[4]
Countries
  • Canada
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$64 million[5]
Box office$107.3 million[6][7]

Clifford the Big Red Dog is a 2021 adventure comedy film directed by Walt Becker and based on the children's book series of the same name by Norman Bridwell[8][9] starring Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, Sienna Guillory, David Alan Grier, Russell Wong, Kenan Thompson and John Cleese[10] and dedicated to the memory of Richard Robinson, the former CEO of Scholastic (the publisher of the Clifford books), who died on June 5, 2021. The film was screened unannounced on August 26, 2021, during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles. It was initially scheduled to premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021, to be followed by a theatrical release in the United States on September 17 after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic by Paramount Pictures, but was ultimately pulled from the festival and had its release date removed from Paramount's schedule due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. Ultimately, the film was simultaneously released theatrically and digitally on Paramount+ on November 10, 2021 in the United States.[11] It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $107 million worldwide on a $64 million budget. A sequel is in development.[12]

Plot[]

Twelve-year-old Emily Elizabeth Howard is a middle school student living with her mother, Maggie, in New York City. She is regularly bullied but finds comfort in her only friend Owen Yu. Maggie leaves her in the care of her homeless and irresponsible uncle Casey before going to Chicago for a business trip.

Mr. Bridwell, who runs an animal rescue tent at a park, introduces Emily to a small red puppy whose family had been taken by dogcatchers. He tells her that the puppy will grow based on how much love he receives. Casey rejects the adoption due to dogs not being allowed in the apartment building. When Emily gets home from school, she finds the puppy in her backpack and names him Clifford. Casey allows her to keep Clifford only for one night.

The next morning, Clifford has grown to giant proportions. Emily and Casey attempt to hide him from the building's superintendent, Mr. Packard. They try taking Clifford to a veterinarian, but he chases and plays with a man in an inflatable bubble. Word of his existence quickly spreads online. After learning from the vet's secretary of Bridwell's past miracles with animals and their owners, the Howards plan to get information on his whereabouts. As Emily is getting lunch for Clifford from the cafeteria, Clifford escapes from Casey's truck and humiliates a bully named Florence, giving Emily the friends she always wanted.

Zac Tieran, the owner of biotechnology company Lyfegro, discovers Clifford on social media. He lies to the police that Clifford is his dog and has them search for him. After being evicted from their apartment and chased by the police and Lyfegro guards, Emily and Casey take shelter in Owen's lavish apartment. Casey tells Emily she can keep Clifford if they find Bridwell and take his advice. If he cannot help, Clifford must be sent to China, where Mr. Wu has a sanctuary. They race to the hospital, only to find Bridwell's empty bed and a patient who tells them Bridwell has died. Clifford is thus sent away by a boat arranged by Owen's father as Emily tearfully says goodbye.

The next day, Clifford is captured on the ship by Lyfegro personnel and sent to Lyfegro. Emily soon learns Bridwell did not die, so she and Casey try to save Clifford from being operated on at Lyfegro, aided by friends from their neighborhood. They break into Lyfegro’s headquarters and rescue Clifford, who then flees through the city with Emily riding on him.

At Central Park, a large crowd gathers as Emily desperately asks Bridwell to help, and he tells her that she must stand up for herself and for Clifford and that being different is a gift. Emily explains to everyone the importance of love, regardless of differences. However, Zac orders the police chief to see who Clifford's owner is by checking an ID chip he had implanted. When the chip identifies Emily as Clifford's rightful owner, the chief informs Zac that he will be fined for lying to the police. After Zac is arrested, Emily, Casey, and Maggie are welcomed back into their apartment; Casey gets a job as a General manager at Scholastic, thus making Clifford famous.

Cast[]

  • Clifford, a 10-foot-tall red dog who is adopted by Emily, does not speak in this film but rather communicates through barking and other vocal effects.
  • Darby Camp as Emily Elizabeth Howard, a 12-year-old girl who has to save Clifford from Lyfegro.
  • Jack Whitehall as Casey Porter, Emily's clumsy yet good-natured uncle and Maggie's younger brother.
  • Tony Hale as Zac Tieran, the owner of Lyfegro, a genetics company that wants Clifford.[8]
  • Sienna Guillory as Maggie Howard, Emily Elizabeth's mother and Casey's older sister who is on a business trip in Chicago.
  • David Alan Grier as Mr. Packard, the building superintendent of the apartment building that Emily and Maggie live in.[13]
  • Russell Wong as Mr. Yu, Owen's father.
  • John Cleese as Mr. Bridwell, the magical animal rescuer who gives Clifford to Emily. He is named after the creator of the Clifford character, Norman Bridwell.
  • Izaac Wang as Owen Yu, the boy from another apartment and Emily's best friend and classmate. He is also the owner of Clifford's pug friend, Brutus (aka "T-Bone").
  • Kenan Thompson as Clifford's veterinarian. Thompson voiced the character Hamburger in the original animated series. His nametag reads "Russ T.," a reference to Thompson's character from D2: The Mighty Ducks, Russ Tyler.
  • Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Crullerman, Emily’s elderly Russian neighbor.
  • Paul Rodriguez as Sanchez, the bodega owner and Raul's boss.[14]
  • Russell Peters as Malik[15][16]
  • Keith Ewell as Mr. Jarvis, a man whom Clifford saves his life from falling.
  • Mia Ronn as Florence, a popular girl in Emily's school who bullies her.
  • Horatio Sanz as Raul, a bodega employee.
  • Rosie Perez as Lucille
  • Alex Moffat as Albert
  • Jessica Keenan Wynn as Colette, Tieran's scheming lawyer.
  • Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Petra
  • Ty Jones as Watkins, the chief of police
  • Bear Allen-Blaine as Mrs. Jarvis, Emily's faithful lawyer who helps her save Clifford from Lyfegro.[17]

Production[]

In May 2012, it was reported that Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment would produce a live-action/animated film based on the book. Matt Lopez was hired to write the script while Chris Meledandri and Deborah Forte were to produce,[18] but in July 2013, it was reported that Illumination cancelled the project.[19] On September 13, 2013, it was reported that the film was still in development at Universal Pictures with David Bowers in talks to direct the film.[20] Like the 2011 film Hop, the titular dog character will be animated while the other characters will be live-action.[20] In 2016, Paramount Pictures had purchased the rights to develop a live-action and animated hybrid film.[21] On September 25, 2017, it was reported that Walt Becker had been hired to direct from a script being re-written by Ellen Rapoport, and from the original written by Justin Malen, which would be produced by Forte through her Silvertongue Films banner.[22] On June 20, 2019, Paramount closed a deal with Entertainment One to co-finance the film. Under the deal, Entertainment One Films would distribute the film in Canada and the United Kingdom excluding TV broadcast rights for the latter country, while Paramount would distribute in all other territories including the United States.[1] On December 25, 2019, a photo from the film was leaked, revealing the computer-generated form of Clifford in the live-action scenery.[23][24] In May 2019, Camp and Whitehall signed on to star in the film.[25] In June 2019, Cleese, Guillory, Wang, Grier, Rosie Perez, Keith Ewell, Bear Allen-Blaine and Lynn Cohen joined the cast.[26][17] Principal photography began on June 10, 2019 in New York City[27][28][29][30] and wrapped on August 23, 2019, after 55 days of shooting.[31] The visual effects were made by Moving Picture Company.[32] On November 18, 2020, it was announced that John Debney would compose the film's score.[33] The song "Room for You" performed by Madison Beer, was released on November 5, 2021.[34]

Release[]

Clifford the Big Red Dog was simultaneously released in theaters in Dolby Cinema and streaming on Paramount+ on November 10, 2021 in the United States.[11] It was initially scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in September,[35] followed by a theatrical release on September 17 by Paramount Pictures,[36] but the festival premiere was cancelled and the studio removed the film from its release schedule due to the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19.[37] It was originally scheduled to be released November 13, 2020, before being delayed to November 5, 2021[38][39] due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] Prior to that, Universal Pictures initially slated the then-unproduced film for April 8, 2016 and then pushed back to December 31, 2016.[41][42] The film had a surprise unannounced screening on August 26, 2021 during the 2021 CinemaCon event in Los Angeles.[3] The film was then released in the UK on December 10, 2021 by Entertainment One.

Home media[]

Clifford the Big Red Dog was released on digital download by Paramount Home Entertainment on December 14, 2021, which features deleted scenes and special features including a behind-the-scenes look with interviews from the cast, and how Clifford's adventures began from the book series to the big screen. It was also released on February 1, 2022 on Blu-ray and DVD.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Dylan O'Brien's 'Monster Problems,' 'Clifford' Backed by Paramount, eOne". Variety. 20 June 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019. {{cite web}}:
  2. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (20 June 2019). "Paramount & eOne Team For 'Clifford The Big Red Dog' & Dylan O'Brien Pic 'Monster Problems'". Deadline. Paramount Pictures and Entertainment One (eOne) will co-finance two upcoming wide theatrical releases {{cite web}}:
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (August 26, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Showing Up At Paramount CinemaCon Presentation". Deadline Hollywood. https://deadline.com/2021/08/clifford-the-big-red-dog-cinemacon-screening-1234822581/. 
  4. ↑ "Clifford the Big Red Dog - Movie Review". 20 July 2021. {{cite web}}:
  5. ↑ Scott Mendelson (November 14, 2021). "Box Box Office: 'Clifford' Earns Doggone Decent $22M Debut". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  6. ↑ "Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved March 11, 2022. {{cite web}}:
  7. ↑ Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021) at The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "[News] CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG - Get a First Look". 25 November 2020. {{cite web}}:
  9. ↑ "Clifford the Big Red Dog Makes His Live-Action Teaser Trailer Debut". LRM. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2020-11-26. {{cite web}}:
  10. ↑ Wojnar, Zak (June 29, 2021). "Clifford the Big Red Dog Trailer Brings Beloved Children's Books to Life". Screen Rant. {{cite web}}:
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 23, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Returns To Q4 Release Schedule, Will Go Day & Date In Theaters & On Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  12. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 23, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Getting Sequel From Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 25, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  13. ↑ @CliffordMovie (October 21, 2021). "From @Scholastic Book Fairs to the big screen! Get tickets now for #CliffordMovie, in theatres and on @ParamountPlus November 10. Admission tickets http://tickets.cliffordmovie.com" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{cite web}}:
  14. ↑ "How comedian Paul Rodriguez regained his mojo — and his faith | Angelus News". 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2020-10-06. {{cite web}}:
  15. ↑ Fraser, Garnet (January 22, 2020). "Russell Peters has an amazing house to sell you — and a new standup special". Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2020/01/22/russell-peters-has-an-amazing-house-to-sell-you-and-a-new-standup-special.html. 
  16. ↑ Alleman, Annie (October 27, 2019). "RStandup comic Russell Peters ends tour with Hammond show". Post-Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/ct-ptb-ent-russell-peters-1025-20191017-yhoeoaphqjgdrdlfnwd4wqpqh4-story.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Galuppo, Mia (June 12, 2019). "Kenan Thompson, Rosie Perez Join 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. {{cite web}}:
  18. ↑ Kit, Borys (May 8, 2012). "Illumination and Universal Adapting 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/clifford-big-red-dog-illumination-universal-321711. 
  19. ↑ Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". Variety. https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/. "At the same time, Illumination has scrapped a number of planned movie ideas. Waldo and a Tim Burton-helmed, stop-motion The Addams Family are dead. The company abandoned a Woody Woodpecker pic, and couldn't crack Clifford the Big Red Dog." 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Shaw, Lucas (September 13, 2013). "David Bowers in Talks to Direct 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'; Illumination Drops Off (Exclusive)". The Wrap. http://www.thewrap.com/david-bowers-to-direct-clifford-the-big-red-dog-for-illumination-exclusive/. 
  21. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 30, 2016). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie Moves to Paramount". {{cite web}}:
  22. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 25, 2017). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Nabs 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' Director (Exclusive)" (in en). The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clifford-big-red-dog-movie-finds-director-1042743. 
  23. ↑ Perry, Spencer (December 25, 2019). "Clifford the Big Red Dog Live-Action Movie First Look Leaks" (in en). ComicBook. https://comicbook.com/movies/news/clifford-the-big-red-dog-live-action-movie-first-look-leaks/. 
  24. ↑ Wagner, Bonnie Lynn (January 5, 2020). "First Look at Live Action Adaptation of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG". BroadwayWorld. {{cite web}}:
  25. ↑ Kit, Borys (May 28, 2019). "Jack Whitehall, 'Big Little Lies' Actress to Star in 'Clifford, the Big Red Dog' Adaptation (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. {{cite web}}:
  26. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (June 11, 2019). "John Cleese, Sienna Guillory Join 'Clifford, the Big Red Dog' Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. {{cite web}}:
  27. ↑ "Jack Whitehall on Instagram: "Clifford read through done. First day shooting today. The wall display behind Darby and I is essentially what @hilarywhitehall would would…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2020-10-31. {{cite web}}:
  28. ↑ Bittle, Jake (July 17, 2019). "Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to Brooklyn — but can he fit?". Brooklyn Eagle. https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2019/07/17/clifford-the-big-red-dog-movie-brooklyn/. 
  29. ↑ Davis, Brandon (August 13, 2019). "Terrifying Photos From Clifford The Big Red Dog Set Surface Online" (in en). Comic Book. https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/08/13/clifford-red-dog-movie-set-photos-scary-stand-in/. 
  30. ↑ "Casting Call in NYC for "Clifford" Movie | Auditions Free". Auditions Free. July 12, 2019. https://www.auditionsfree.com/2019/casting-kids-in-nyc-for-clifford-movie/. 
  31. ↑ "Jack Whitehall on Instagram: "That's a wrap. 55 day shoot and it flew by. A few tears where shed at wrap as i had such an amazing time shooting this one. What an…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2020-10-31. {{cite web}}:
  32. ↑ "Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)". MPC Film. Retrieved November 13, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  33. ↑ "John Debney to Score Disney+'s 'Home Alone' Reboot | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 2020-11-24. {{cite web}}:
  34. ↑ "Madison Beer's Original Song 'Room for You' from 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Released". Film Music Reporter. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  35. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2021). "Toronto Festival Unveils 'Dear Evan Hansen' As Opening-Night Premiere, Zhang Yimou's 'One Second' As Closer; Check Out First Slated Films". Deadline Hollywood. https://deadline.com/2021/07/2021-toronto-film-festival-slate-dear-evan-hansen-1234796440/. 
  36. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 28, 2021). "Marvel Movies Move Around In 2023 As Disney Makes Release Date Changes". Deadline. {{cite web}}:
  37. ↑ Pedersen, Erik; D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 30, 2021). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Pulled From Paramount Release Schedule Over Delta Concerns; TIFF Slot Vacated – Update". Retrieved August 4, 2021. {{cite web}}:
  38. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-08-29). "'Scream' Relaunch Eyes 2022 Release, 'Snake Eyes' Rolls To 2021 & More – Paramount Release Date Changes". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-08-29. {{cite web}}:
  39. ↑ Anderton, Ethan (August 29, 2020). "Paramount Sets Release Dates for 'Snake Eyes', New 'Scream' and 'Paranormal Activity' Movies & More". /Film. Retrieved November 23, 2020. {{cite web}}:
  40. ↑ Perine, Aaron (August 28, 2020). "Paramount Delays 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie a Year Due to COVID-19". https://comicbook.com/movies/news/paramount-delays-clifford-big-red-dog-movie-covid-19/. 
  41. ↑ "The Clifford the Big Red Dog Movie is Coming in 2016". ComingSoon.net. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014. {{cite web}}:
  42. ↑ Lesnick, Silas (March 10, 2015). "Universal Teams with Scholastic Inc. for Future Projects". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved April 3, 2016. {{cite web}}:
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