Exclusive Interview With The Cast and Director of Dog Days

Thank you to LD Entertainment for hosting my attendance at the Dog Days premiere.

With a movie that’s basically a love letter to dogs, you would assume that special care would give given to all of the casting, including the dogs. In the case of Dog Days, the canine cast was actually in place before the humans. Director Ken Marino asked their dog trainer for his rock star dogs. “The first dog we cast was Adam Pally’s co-star Charlie.” He was selected for his wonderfully goofy quality. As for the rest of the pups? They cast dogs that fit the look for each character. “They all had something special. They were easy to work with.”

For Nina Dobrev, casting the dogs early meant she couldn’t sneak her own dog, Maverick into the cast. “That didn’t stop me from sneaking her into the back of every single shot,” laughs Nina.

Maverick’s visits to the set also earned him a few new family members. “All my scenes were with Nina and Maverick is like my niece now,” says her costar Tone Bell.

There’s an old W.C. Fields quote about Hollywood: “Never work with animals or children.” Having so many cute pups on the set didn’t create any issues other than perhaps some distractions for Vanessa Hudgens. She wanted to cuddle with them all day. “They’re just so cute and they’re so well behaved and so smart. In between set-ups I would sneak away and try to play with the dogs.”

If Dog Days is a love letter to dogs, the cast of Dog Days had a few love letters of their own for director Ken Marino. “Ken is one of my idols from when I first started watching comedy,” says Adam Pally. “Even if this was a cat movie I would have done it. That’s saying a lot because cat people are crazy.”

“It is so great to have an actor director because they speak your language,” according to Eva Longoria. “I love Ken’s kind of funny. He’s my kind of funny. I knew I would be in good hands.”

As for Ken himself, he wanted to make the movie for everyone who needs a break with their families. “I feel like right now it’s important to have movies where you can bring your whole family and escape the madness out there, watch a movie that is funny and might make you cry once or twice. It’s for adults and kids.” Want to check out Dog Days for yourself? It’s in theaters now. 

Don’t forget to check out my review of Dog Days and my look behind the scenes of the world premiere.

From acclaimed production company LD Entertainment (The Zookeeper’s Wife, Jackie, and Megan Leavey) and Director Ken Marino comes Dog Days. Dog Days is a hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved fluffy pals around sunny Los Angeles. When these human and canine’s paths start to intertwine, their lives begin changing in ways they never expected.