Disney bringing Underdog to big screen as live-action movie

Posted Monday, June 20, 2005 at 9:25 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Can anyone save Hollywood from its disastrous box office slump? There's no need to fear! Underdog is here!

At least that's what Disney is hoping. According to Variety, they are finishing a deal to bring the '60s classic cartoon to the big screen as a live-action movie. The Mouse House hopes Underdog can be a new film franchise for them.

The report indicates that a real dog will be used for the canine superhero with computer graphic enhancements added. Other characters from the cartoon, which ran on NBC from 1964 to 1973, such as the evil Simon Barsinister and love interest Sweet Polly Purebred will likely be in the film adaptation as well. They hope to begin shooting early next year.

Disney has a knack for bringing '60s and '70s cartoons to the big screen in live-action form. They previously scored hits with George of the Jungle and a remake of their own 101 Dalmatians.