Air Bud (series)

Last updated

Air Bud
OwnersAir Bud Entertainment (original films and Air Buddies)
The Walt Disney Company (all other films)
Years1997–2013
Films and television
Film(s)
Direct-to-video
Air Bud series
Air Buddies series
Santa Paws series

The Air Bud film series (also known as Disney Buddies) is an American film franchise based on a sports-playing Golden Retriever named Buddy, portrayed by Buddy. [1] The franchise began in 1997 with the theatrical release of Air Bud , followed by the theatrical release of Air Bud: Golden Receiver in 1998. [1] [2] Following the box office failure of Golden Receiver, the rest of the films in the series were released in direct-to-video form. The Air Buddies or Disney Buddies spin-off series began in 2006 with the release of Air Buddies and it focuses on the adventures of Buddy's talking Golden Retriever puppies. [2] The franchise features fourteen films (five of which were in the Air Bud series and seven in the Air Buddies series), [3] in addition to two Christmas spin-offs of the Air Buddies series.

Contents

Disney Buddies is one of the top direct-to-DVD franchises, just behind Disney Fairies at $300 million, with the first 12 films grossing $220 million by March 2014. [4]

History

Kevin DiCicco's Golden Retriever Buddy was featured on "America's Funniest Home Videos" and David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks". He then (in 1991), approached the independent production company Keystone Entertainment to produce Air Bud , a film based on Buddy. He also formed his production company, Air Bud Productions, that year. [1] Disney's Miramax was brought on as the distribution company. [1] [5] Keystone indicated that no sequel was planned. The film did well in the home video market. [1]

By April 1998, DiCicco and Robert Vince, the film's producer at Keystone, had a falling out, as Keystone and Vince had gone forward with a sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver , without DiCicco, who also claimed he wasn't paid anything for the first film and that he owns the Air Bud rights (based on the name of this production company name).

DiCicco bred three offspring of Buddy and trained them for sports like Buddy. The puppies were signed to an endorsement deal by DiCicco for Milk-Bone dog biscuits for puppies. He intended to make his own sequel, Air Bud: The Next Generation, which was scheduled to start production in the fall of 1999, with its concept being a "cross between Ferris Bueller and Home Alone ". [1]

Disney and William Morris Agency were sued in December 2011 over the Santa Paws films being unauthorized copies of a 1991 script for Santa Paws: The Story of Santa's Dog. [6]

Film series

FilmU.S. release dateDirected byScreenplay byStory byProduced byRefs.
Air Bud
Air Bud August 1, 1997 Charles Martin Smith Paul Tamasy & Aaron Mendelssohn Robert Vince and William Vince [7]
Air Bud: Golden Receiver August 14, 1998 Richard Martin Robert Vince [8]
Air Bud: World Pup December 12, 2000Bill BannermanMike Whiting and Robert Vince & Anne VinceIan Fodie [9]
Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch June 18, 2002Robert VinceSara Sutton & Stephanie Isherwood and Anne Vince & Anna McRobertsRobert VinceRobert Vince and Anna McRoberts [10]
Air Bud: Spikes Back June 24, 2003 Mike Southon Anne Vince & Anna McRobertsAnna McRoberts, Robert Vince and Benjamin Kutz [11]
Air Buddies
Air Buddies December 12, 2006 Robert Vince Anna McRoberts & Robert Vince
Snow Buddies February 5, 2008 [12]
Space Buddies February 3, 2009 [13]
Santa Buddies November 24, 2009 [6]
Spooky Buddies September 20, 2011
Treasure Buddies January 31, 2012 [14] [15]
Super Buddies August 27, 2013
Santa Paws
The Search for Santa Paws November 23, 2010 Robert Vince Anna McRoberts & Robert Vince [16]
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups November 20, 2012

Recurring cast and characters

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

CharactersAir Bud film seriesBuddies film seriesSanta Paws film series
Air Bud Air Bud:
Golden Receiver 		Air Bud:
World Pup 		Air Bud:
Seventh Inning Fetch 		Air Bud Spikes Back Air Buddies Snow Buddies Space Buddies Santa Buddies Spooky Buddies Treasure Buddies Super Buddies The Search for Santa Paws Santa Paws 2:
The Santa Pups
Buddy Buddy Rush
Chase
Zak
Chance		Dakota
Walker
Shooter
Tango
Poacher		Shaq
Dakota
Shooter
Sniper
Tango		Bailey
Brandy
Charlie
Walker		 Tom Everett Scott V  
Jackie Framm (Sullivan) Wendy Makkena Cynthia Stevenson Chilton CraneCynthia Stevenson 
Josh Framm Kevin Zegers  
Tom StewartShayn Solberg 
Andrea FrammJessibelle and Katy MatherAlyson MacLaren Caitlin Wachs Katija Pevec  
Dr. Patrick Sullivan  Gregory Harrison Dale Midkiff Richard Karn Alf Humphreys Richard Karn 
Molly various Golden Retrievers  Molly Shannon V  
Noah Sullivan Hannah Marof and Emma MarofJake D. SmithSlade Pearce Dylan Minnette  
Sheriff Bob  Patrick Cranshaw  
B-Dawg  Skyler Gisondo V Cooper Roth V  
Buddha  Dominic Scott Kay V Jimmy Bennett V Field Cate V Charles Henry Wyson V Tenzing Trainor V  
Budderball  Josh Flitter V Nico Ghisi V Tucker Albrizzi V Jeremy Shinder V  
Mudbud  Spencer Fox V Henry Hodges V Ty Panitz V  
Rosebud  Abigail Breslin V Liliana Mumy V G Hannelius V  
Sniffer  Don Knotts V   Tim Conway V  
Eli  Danny Woodburn  Danny Woodburn
Santa Claus   George Wendt   Richard Riehle Pat Finn
Mrs. Claus   Patrika Darbo Cheryl Ladd

Crew

Credited asAir Bud film seriesSpin-offs
Air Buddies film seriesSanta Paws film series
Air Bud
(1997)		 Air Bud:
Golden Receiver
(1998)		 Air Bud:
World Pup
(2000)		 Air Bud:
Seventh Inning Fetch
(2002)		 Air Bud:
Spikes Back
(2003)		 Air Buddies
(2006)		 Snow Buddies
(2008)		 Space Buddies
(2009)		 Santa Buddies:
Here Comes Santa Paws/The Legend of Santa Paws
(2009)		 Spooky Buddies
(2011)		 Treasure Buddies
(2012)		 Super Buddies
(2013)		 The Search for
Santa Paws
(2010)		 Santa Paws 2:
The Santa Pups
(2012)
Director Charles Martin Smith Richard Martin Bill Bannerman Robert Vince Mike SouthonRobert Vince
Producer(s) Robert Vince,
Michael Strange,
William Vince		Robert VinceIan FodieAnna McRoberts,
Robert Vince
Screenwriter(s)Paul Tamasy,
Aaron Mendelsohn		Mike Whiting,
Robert Vince,
Anne Vince		Sara Sutton,
Stephanie Isherwood,
Anne Vince,
Anna McRoberts		Anne Vince,
Anna McRoberts		Anna McRoberts,
Robert Vince,
Phil Hanley 		Robert Vince,
Anna McRoberts		Robert Vince,
Anna McRoberts,
Philip Fracassi
Story byRobert Vince
Composer(s)Brahm WengerBrahm Wenger,
Gregory Prechel		Brahm Wenger
Cinematographer Mike Southon Cyrus BlockSteve AdelsonMike SouthonKamal DerkaouiMike SouthonKamal Derkaoui Mark Irwin Kamal DerkaouiMark Irwin
Editor(s)Alison VinceBruce Lange,
Melinda Seabrook		Kelly Herron,
Laura Mazur		Kelly Herron,
Jason Pielak		Kelly HerronJason PielakKelly Herron

See also

Related Research Articles

Miramax, LLC, formerly known as Miramax Films, is an American independent film and television production and distribution company founded on December 19, 1979, by Harvey and Bob Weinstein, and based in Los Angeles, California. Today, it is owned by beIN Media Group and Paramount Global.

Dimension Films is an inactive American independent film and television production and distribution label founded in 1992, and currently owned by independent studio Lantern Entertainment. Formally one of the American "mini-majors", Dimension Films produced and released independent films and genre titles; specifically horror and science fiction films.

<i>Air Bud</i> 1997 film directed by Charles Martin Smith

Air Bud is a 1997 sports comedy drama film directed by Charles Martin Smith. An international co-production of the United States and Canada, the film stars Kevin Zegers as a young boy who befriends a runaway Golden Retriever with a unique ability to play basketball.

<i>Whats New, Scooby-Doo?</i> American animated television series

What's New, Scooby-Doo? is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Kids' WB. It is the ninth incarnation of the Scooby-Doo franchise that began with Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and the first Scooby-Doo series in a decade, since A Pup Named Scooby-Doo ended in 1991 and the first since both the foreclosure of Hanna-Barbera studios and William Hanna's death in 2001.

<i>Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw</i> 1988 animated film by Pierre DeCelles

Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw is a 1988 American animated musical adventure film based on the Tonka toy line and the Hanna-Barbera television series of the same name, which aired around the same time. It was directed by Pierre DeCelles, and stars the voices of Brennan Howard, B.J. Ward and Tony Longo. This was the only animated feature film produced by Carolco Pictures as well as the first animated film distributed by TriStar Pictures.

<i>Air Bud: Golden Receiver</i> 1998 film by Richard Martin

Air Bud: Golden Receiver is a 1998 sports comedy film directed by Richard Martin. It is the sequel to Air Bud. The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is also the last of the Air Bud films to be released theatrically. Outside the United States the film was often titled Air Bud 2. This film is dedicated in memory of the original Air Bud (Buddy), who died of Synovial sarcoma – a rare form of cancer that affects soft tissue near the joints of the arm, leg, or neck – in 1998, several months before the film's release.

<i>Air Bud: World Pup</i> 2000 American film

Air Bud: World Pup, also known as Air Bud 3, is a 2000 sports comedy film directed by Bill Bannerman. The third film in the Air Bud series, it was the second to be filmed without the original Buddy, the canine star of the first film from 1997; Buddy died after production of the first film. Air Bud: World Pup was the first film in the Air Bud series not to be released theatrically in the U.S., opting to only be released on video, but was played in Philippine theaters for a limited time.

<i>Air Buddies</i> 2006 film by Robert Vince

Air Buddies is a 2006 American sports comedy film directed by Robert Vince. It is the sixth film in the Air Bud series and the first in the direct-to-video spin-off series Air Buddies, which follows the life of a lonely teenager and his dog who has the uncanny ability to play every sport.

<i>Snow Buddies</i> 2008 American film

Snow Buddies is a 2008 American adventure comedy film and the second installment in the Air Buddies series. It was released on DVD on February 5, 2008. The film takes place in the fictional town of Ferntiuktuk, Alaska.

<i>Santa Buddies</i> 2009 American film

Santa Buddies, also known as Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws, is a 2009 American Christmas comedy film. It is the fourth installment of the Air Buddies spin-off series as well as the ninth film in the Air Bud franchise. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 24, 2009. Tom Bosley's appearance in the film was his final role before his death in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaitlyn Maher</span> American singer and actress (born 2004)

Kaitlyn Ashley Maher is an American singer and actress known for being the Youngest Top 10 Finalist on America's Got Talent and for her roles in films such as The Search for Santa Paws, Santa Paws 2, Free Birds, and the PupStar series; as well as television shows such as FOX's The Goodwin Games and PBS' Mack and Moxy. She serves as the first-ever youth ambassador for the global nonprofit Compassion International and is a national debate champion, singer/songwriter, and global advocate.

Robert Vince is a Canadian director, producer, writer and screenwriter. He has been involved in movie production since the late 1980s and has been directing movies since 2000, such as MVP: Most Valuable Primate, the Air Buddies series, and Chestnut: Hero of Central Park.

Gig Morton is a Canadian actor and podcast host. Beginning a professional career as a child actor at age nine, Morton is a six time Young Artist Award nominee, best known for his role as B-Dawg's boy, "Billy" in four installments of the Air Buddies film franchise, Air Buddies, Snow Buddies, Space Buddies, and Santa Buddies, as well as for his co-starring role as "Derby" on the Canadian television show Mr. Young.

<i>Pound Puppies</i> (2010 TV series) 2010 multi-national TV series or program

Pound Puppies is an animated children's television series developed by Wendy Klein Moss, Nancy Steingard, Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere for the Hub Network. It premiered on October 10, 2010 in the United States as the first Hub "original series". It also aired on YTV in Canada and on Boomerang in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. Produced by Hasbro Studios, it was the second series to adapt Pound Puppies into a cartoon format. Originally a property by Tonka, Hasbro acquired Tonka itself and currently manages Pound Puppies. The plot style and music were similar to the 1960s TV series Hogan's Heroes and to films like Stalag 17 and The Great Escape. The first seven episodes of the series were animated by 9 Story Entertainment, but DHX Media/Vancouver took over to animate the series from episode 8 onwards.

Buddy was a Golden Retriever dog actor. He was best known for playing the title role in the 1997 film Air Bud.

<i>The Search for Santa Paws</i> 2010 American film

The Search for Santa Paws is a 2010 Christmas adventure fantasy film released on November 23, 2010. The title is the tenth film in the Air Bud franchise and is also a prequel to Santa Buddies, as well as a spin-off from the Air Buddies film franchise.

<i>Spooky Buddies</i> 2011 American film

Spooky Buddies is a 2011 Canadian-American supernatural comedy film that is part of the Disney Buddies franchise, a series often referred to as the Air Bud and Air Buddies franchise. For the fifth installment in the Air Buddies series, the plot follows the team as they have a Halloween adventure in Fernfield to stop the evil Warwick the Warlock and save the town. The film was directed by Robert Vince, produced by Anna McRoberts, and released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a film download on September 20, 2011.

The 20th Youth in Film Awards ceremony, presented by the Youth in Film Association, honored outstanding youth performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film and television for the 1997–1998 season, and took place on March 6, 1999, at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California. The hosts for the ceremony that evening were Jena Malone, R.J. Arnett, Roland Thomson, Justin Thomsom, Selwyn Ward and Tracy Lynn Cruz.

<i>Dug Days</i> American series of animated short films

Dug Days is an American animated series of shorts created, written, and directed by Bob Peterson and produced by Pixar Animation Studios initially for Disney+. The series is set immediately after the 2009 film Up, following its main characters, dog Dug, voiced by Peterson, and his owner, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, voiced by Ed Asner in one of his last performances before his death.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wolk, Josh (April 3, 1998). "Air Bud". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Finley, Adam (February 24, 2006). "Air Bud is Coming Back". AOL Moviefone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  3. ↑ Strowbridge, C.S. (August 26, 2013). "DVD and Blu-ray Releases for August 27th, 2013 - The Numbers". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (April 3, 2014). "How Tinker Bell Became Disney's Stealthy $300 Million Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  5. ↑ Goodridge, Mike (February 20, 2002). "Miramax gets in family way with Keystone". Screen Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  6. 1 2 Gardner, Eriq (December 23, 2011). "Lawsuit Claims Disney Ripped Off Films About Santa Claus' Dog". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Air Bud (1997)". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Air Bud: Golden Receiver". Fandango. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Air Bud: World Pup Plot Summary and Details". AOL Moviefone. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  10. ↑ Buzz McClain (2008). "Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on January 31, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  11. ↑ Tyner, Adam (June 24, 2003). "Air Bud Spikes Back". DVD Talk. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  12. ↑ Kho, Nancy (December 20, 2010). "Snow Buddies". Common Sense Media. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  13. ↑ Orange, B. Alan (February 6, 2009). "Space Buddies DVD". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  14. ↑ "TREASURE BUDDIES Straight to DVD Feature". Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  15. ↑ Katz, Josh (November 4, 2011). "Treasure Buddies Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  16. ↑ Herman, Joly (November 23, 2010). "The Search for Santa Paws". Common Sense Media. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.