Behind the crime tape with Dog Man

The new DreamWorks movie Dog Man, adapted from author Dav Pilkey’s (Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie) 13-book graphic novel series (2016-date), will be familiar to anyone who grew up on the Captain Underpants saga (1997-date). In the Pants universe, canine cop hero Dog Man was created by kindergarteners George Beard and Harold Hutchinson long before they dreamed up Captain Underpants. Their earliest superhero, Dog Man, is the result of a surgeon’s efforts to save both a brilliant, faithful police dog named Greg and his human police officer handler, Officer Knight, after an explosive on-the-job accident. 

“With the head of a dog and the body of a human, he has the best qualities of both,” explains Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning Dog Man director Peter Hastings, who also voices Dog Man using a series of woofs, whines, and police siren-like howls. “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.” Peter adds, “Voicing Dog Man was both a challenge and a joy. 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.” 

Spliced together into one supercop, Dog Man is sworn to protect, serve and fetch. Now to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery, Harold and the Purple Crayon), Dog Man must stop feline supervillain Petey (Pete Davidson, Bupkis, The Angry Birds Movie 2), the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Evilest Cat”. Petey’s latest plan is to clone himself, creating the kitten Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon), to double his ability to do “crime stuff”. Things get complicated, though, when Li’l Petey the kitten bonds with Dog Man. 

Stream Dog Man now.

Pete or pet?

To recap and clarify…

Pete Davidson voices Petey the World’s Most Evilest Cat

Peter Hastings directs Dog Man and voices the character of Dog Man

Lucas Hopkins Calderon voices Li’l Petey, the kitten clone of Petey, the World’s Most Evilest Cat

Everything is better with kittens

“Petey is a complicated character,” muses actor and comedian Pete Davidson. “He’s like your average guy who wants to be bad but, deep down, knows he should do the right thing. His flaws and tough past make him relatable."

Peter Hastings adds, “In the books, Petey is rarely after anything specific – he just enjoys causing chaos. What’s fascinating about Petey is that we gradually learn why he is the way he is and what he’s willing to do or change.” 

And the key to that change is a kitten of his own. “Li’l Petey, though a clone of the world’s most notorious villain, represents innocence and truth,” reveals Peter. “He has a unique ability to reveal deeper truths with straightforward honesty. In the film, Li’l Petey acts as a mirror, reflecting the core motivations of those around him, including Petey and Dog Man. His presence challenges others to confront their choices, ultimately highlighting the power of redemption and the transformative impact of unwavering kindness.” 

“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,” says Peter. “The relationship between Dog Man and Li’l Petey is really the heart of the story. 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.” 

Drawing inside the lines

“It was incredibly important to honour the style of the books,” Peter insists. “The simple drawings, the lettering style – these elements are integral to the books’ humour and charm. Our challenge was to preserve that essence while creating a visually striking film. It’s about honouring what fans love while giving them something new to be excited about.”

Producer Karen Foster adds, “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 recognisable yet uniquely beautiful. Every frame is packed with the kind of visual jokes and details that reward multiple viewings.”

“The characters and scenes are almost identical to the book’s artwork, but enhanced to be more realistic and three-dimensional, while still feeling true to the original material,” adds Isla Fisher, who voices reporter Sarah Hatoff, who is reporting from ground zero at the hospital at the moment of Dog Man’s creation. “The pacing, colours and overall vibe are in keeping with the books, which I think will make it really satisfying for fans … Let’s just put it this way: Normally, when I try to leave the house, my kids say, ‘No, don’t go!’ But when I told them I had to leave to record for Dog Man, they all cheered, ‘Go, go!’ My son, in particular, is a huge fan of the books. I’ve been reading them to him since before he could read, and now he reads them to me.” 

It’s not just Dav’s drawings guiding Dog Man. Peter and his team worked to bring the books’ humour to the screen, too. “I often use the term ‘intelligently silly,’ to describe our approach. It’s humour that works on multiple levels. Kids will laugh at the slapstick and visual gags, while adults will appreciate the clever wordplay and subtle references,” says Peter, who worked as a writer-producer on animated comedy series Pinky and the Brain, as well as on The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV series.

Dav is thrilled by the final result and tells fans, “He (Peter) 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.”

Stream Dog Man now. And read more about great kids’ content on Showmax, including Julia Donaldson adaptations and more book-to-screen stories.