Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
L.A. Premiere Of 'A Dog's Purpose' Cancelled Following Allegations Of Animal Abuse
The Los Angeles premiere of A Dog's Purpose has been cancelled after a video surfaced depicting the alleged abuse of a German Shepherd on set. A Dog's Purpose is the kind of film a masochist would watch if they wanted to cry a lot. Based on the 2010 novel by W. Bruce Cameron, the film is about a dog who is reincarnated several times over into many different dogs of various breeds. As such, it's a film where you watch a dog touch the lives of his humans and then die many times.
The film has been met with a considerable amount of controversy after a video surfaced via TMZ that shows a frightened German Shepherd being forced by a handler to jump into rushing waters. The film was slated to premiere in Los Angeles on Saturday, but producer Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures have canceled both the L.A. premiere as well as the accompanying press junket, according to the Hollywood Reporter. In doing so, they issued the following statement.
Because Amblin's review into the edited video released yesterday is still ongoing, distributor Universal Pictures has decided it is in the best interest of A Dog's Purpose to cancel this weekend's premiere and press junket. Amblin and Universal do not want anything to overshadow this film that celebrates the relationship between animals and humans. Since the emergence of the footage, Amblin has engaged with many associated with the production of the film, including safety personnel, trainers and stunt coordinators as part of their in-depth review. While we are all disheartened by the appearance of an animal in distress, everyone has assured us that Hercules the German Shepherd was not harmed throughout the filmmaking.
Support for LAist comes from
TMZ reported that the scene involved eight motors that churned the water in a pool to create the appearance of a turbulent river. When the dog finally gets into the water, it soon disappears underneath and someone yells, "Cut it." Handlers then rush over to remove the dog from the water. TMZ reported that sources said director Lasse Hallström was present during the incident. Hallström, however, has since denied those claims.
To all who saw the upsetting clip from the making of a dog's purpose: I DID NOT SEE WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE CAMERAS ROLLED!
— lasse hallstrom (@HallstromLasse) January 19, 2017
I have been promised that a thorough investigation into this situation is underway and that any wrongdoing will be reported and punished.
— lasse hallstrom (@HallstromLasse) January 19, 2017
Actor Josh Gad, who voices the dog in the film, was not on set for the filming of the scene, but expressed his concern in a Tweet.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) January 19, 2017
While the film will not have its red carpet premiere in Los Angeles on Saturday, it is still scheduled to be released in theaters on January 27.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist