MOVIES: “RIVEDALE’S” OWN ARCHIE, KJ APA SHINES IN THE BIG SCREEN WITH “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

Currently starring  as the lead in the hit CW series Riverdale  which features characters from the Archie comic-books series, new teen sensation KJ Apa makes his big-screen debut in Universal Pictures’ moving tale A Dog’s Purpose.

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose tells the heart-warming and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice—that of an indefatigable dog—takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal.  Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

MOVIES: DIRECTOR LASSE HALSTROM GETS CRITICAL PRAISE FOR “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

One of the world’s most renowned directors, Lasse Halstrom is best known to audiences as the maker of such poignant but resolutely unsentimental films as My Life as a Dog, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and The Cider House Rules.

His newest film, A Dog's Purpose shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

The director claims it is no accident he was attracted to the material: “I made two movies about dogs previously—My Life as a Dog and Haichi—so this is my third dog story. If you have an interest in outsiders and emotions that seems irrational to humans, you can certainly relate to a dog’s feelings and a dog’s life.”

MOVIES: DENNIS QUAID SHARES SAME ROLE WITH TWO ACTORS IN “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

For Universal Pictures' new family adventure, A Dog's Purpose, director Lasse Hallström looked to Dennis Quaid who he directed over 20 years ago in Something to Talk About. Known for his portrayals in both comedic and dramatic roles over the years, Quaid was Hallstrom's the ultimate choice for the role of Adult Ethan.

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice—that of an indefatigable dog—takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal. Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

MOVIES: JOSH GAD LENDS VOICE TO BAILEY, THE NARRATOR IN “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

Known to tens of millions as the voice of Olaf in Frozen, Josh Gad lends his voice to Bailey, the real star—the heart and soul throughout the entirety of Universal Pictures' new family adventure, A Dog's Purpose.

Director Lasse Hallström and Amblin Entertainment reached out to the Tony Award-winning actor with high hopes of finding the voice of Bailey.

His unparalleled vocal abilities are just as melodic as they are humorous and emotional, and the filmmakers were certain he would be the production’s perfect Bailey. “After hearing what Josh did with Olaf in Frozen, I had a pretty good sense of his talents and why he would be great for the role of the narrator. But when we started our work, I was truly moved at what an amazing match he was for the visuals of the dog and how he connected to that character,” says Hallström.

Gad, who was under the impression that he was being asked to consider doing voiceover work for a talking dog, but was he in for a surprise. Gad reflects on the casting process: “I have always been a huge fan of Lasse Hallstrom’s and have been longing for the opportunity to work with him. I got a call one day saying there was a new movie that he directed and wanted me to be a part of. I got extremely excited and was told that the movie was shot already. I did not understand.”

The performer continues, “My initial reaction was that I did not want to do a talking animal movie, but Leslee Feldman (VP of Casting at Amblin) told me to watch the film before I made my decision. She handed me a tissue box and said, ‘Here, you are going to need this.’”

“I watched the film—realized it was not a talking dog—and was so moved and blown away by it that I felt compelled to be part of it. If someone walked in, they would have thought I was robbed at gunpoint and watched a family of squirrel’s burn down because I was sobbing. After completing the part, I can honestly say that I have not felt this way about a project I have been involved in since Frozen. Anyone watching this is going to be in awe of the beauty, the truth and the entertainment of what Lasse has put together,” says Gad.

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice—that of an indefatigable dog—takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal. Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

Opening across the Philippines on March 1st, A Dog's Purpose is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

MOVIES: BELOVED BESTSELLER “A DOG'S PURPOSE” NOW A HEARTWARMING FILM

Based on author W. Bruce Cameron’s beloved best-selling novel, A Dog’s Purpose, comes director Lasse Hallström’s heartwarming  and surprising story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

After its publication in 2010, A Dog’s Purpose became an enormous hit, finding an audience with animal lovers across the globe who were charmed by its tender, poignant and humorous take on what our animal companions think of us and why they are truly here.  The No. 1-New York Times Best-Selling book spent more than one year on that list and has been translated into 20 languages, and published in 29 different countries worldwide.  It even spawned a sequel, “A Dog’s Journey,” which was published in 2012 and achieved similar acclaim.

The series author, W. Bruce Cameron, is well known as the writer of the best-selling humor tome 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.  The book was adapted into a hugely popular ABC sitcom, which starred the late John Ritter, and Katey Sagal and introduced the world to The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco.

MOVIES: EVERY DOG HAPPENS FOR A REASON IN “A DOG'S PURPOSE”

Told from a dog's perspective, Universal Pictures' feel-good movie A Dog's Purpose shares the heartwarming and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Frozen's Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

Over the course of five decades, a single voice-that of an indefatigable dog-takes us along a riveting and uplifting path that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever loved an animal. Although he is reincarnated in the bodies of multiple canines through the years, it is his unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan that carries and inspires one dog throughout his journey to find a true purpose for his boy.

In 1962, eight-year-old Ethan Montgomery (Bryce Gheisar) and his mother (Juliet Rylance) rescue a Golden Retriever puppy they discover suffering inside a hot car. Despite the reservations of Ethan's father (Luke Kirby), the family adopts the pup they name Bailey, and the friendship of a lifetime ensues.