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News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Krypto craze': Moviegoers rush to adopt rescue pups after watching Superman
Superman's canine sidekick is stealing hearts and inspiring a massive spike in online searches for how to adopt a rescue dog. According to dog training app Woofz, Google searches for the phrase 'adopt a dog near me' jumped by a staggering 513 per cent following the opening weekend of James Gunn's new blockbuster. Searches for 'rescue dog adoption near me' also surged by 163 per cent. The film's four-legged rascal, Krypto, is not only inspired by Gunn's own badly behaved dog Ozu, whom he adopted while writing the movie, but was actually 3D modelled on Ozu's body. Gunn shared a video of his pup barking wildly at Krypto on screen, hilariously reacting to what he doesn't realise is his own digital twin. As Gunn joked, 'Every time he sees himself on screen, he tries to murder himself.' The director also opened up on Late Night with Seth Meyers about Ozu's journey and how it shaped the film. 'Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs and never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least. 'He immediately came in and destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture, he even ate my laptop,' Gunn said. 'It took a long time before he would even let us touch him. I remember thinking, 'Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?'- and thus Krypto came into the script and changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.' But while Krypto's mischief and Ozu's heartwarming backstory have clearly inspired many to explore adoption, animal advocates warn that this kind of surge in interest can come with serious downsides. This isn't the first time a film has triggered a wave of pet adoptions. Disney's 1996 live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians, and even re-releases of the original animated classic, sparked a frenzy of fans wanting their own spotted Pongo. But most were unprepared for the breed's needs, resulting in many owners returning to shelters with their tails between their legs. This phenomenon was so widespread it earned its own name, The Dalmatian Syndrome. According to the American Kennel Club, Dalmatian puppy registrations skyrocketed from 8,170 to 42,816 during that time. Disney was forced to add a statement to the end of 102 Dalmatians (the sequel) warning potential owners to research a pet's breed thoroughly before purchasing it as an additional member of their family. Lauren, an Animal Attendant from Animal Welfare League NSW, who you may have spotted on your tele if you're a fan of The Dog House, implores viewers of the new film to 'make sure they know the requirements and amount of time you need to put into raising a puppy.' 'Owning a dog is easily a 10-15 year commitment and not something that should be done on a whim. 'If people think they are ready for a lifelong best friend, they will never regret adopting from a shelter and giving a dog a second chance at life. 'Animals in shelters struggle everyday through no fault of their own. 'But it's also important to do lots of research about the breeds you're intending to adopt to make sure they fit in with your kind of lifestyle and living conditions. 'Shelters and pounds are bursting at the seams because of overbreeding and neglect, mostly from backyard breeders. 'There is a dog to suit any home and lifestyle at a shelter, all people need to do is have an open heart and mind. 'I will always and forever advocate for people to adopt and not shop.' Other dog breeds that have experienced similar popularity spikes due to television or film include: Collies from Lassie, german shepherds from The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, french bulldogs from Modern Family, and jack russells from Frasier. Despite the cautionary tales, the film's heartwarming message seems to have struck a chord, and many are hopeful that more Ozus will find their forever homes. Critics have praised the new instalment, with many calling Krypto a standout star. Screenrant's Molly Freeman posted to Twitter: 'James Gunn's Superman is a fun-filled, action-packed, quintessential summer blockbuster. Also, Krypto is THE BEST dog.' Anthony Whyte from The Movie Blog added, 'Look, I didn't think James Gunn could make me care about Krypto the Superdog or dedicate a whole section to the canine in my Superman 2025 review. I was wrong. 'Krypto isn't just a gag, he's a loyal companion with attitude. Whether he's brawling with alien tech or just chilling in the Fortress of Solitude, Krypto earns his screen time. 'Kids are gonna love him, and adults are gonna leave the theatre googling 'adoptable white dogs'.' Krypto is typically depicted as a white Labrador Retriever in the DC universe, not a Schnauzer/ Terrier mutt, which predictably drew some grumbles from comic buffs. But despite minor changes appearing in the final cut, Krypto's impact on audiences, both on screen and off, has been undeniable.
CNN
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Increase in pet adoption searches following ‘Superman' movie
Increase in pet adoption searches following 'Superman' movie According to data from the dog training app Woofz, Google searches for 'adopt a dog near me' increased 513% after the 'Superman' movie release. Krypto, the "Superdog" star in the film, was inspired by the director's rescue dog, Ozu. Warner Bros. Discovery, which is also CNN's parent company, partnered with Best Friends Animal Society for the film and covered adoption fees at select shelters ahead of its premiere. 01:15 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos Increase in pet adoption searches following 'Superman' movie According to data from the dog training app Woofz, Google searches for 'adopt a dog near me' increased 513% after the 'Superman' movie release. Krypto, the "Superdog" star in the film, was inspired by the director's rescue dog, Ozu. Warner Bros. Discovery, which is also CNN's parent company, partnered with Best Friends Animal Society for the film and covered adoption fees at select shelters ahead of its premiere. 01:15 - Source: CNN Meet the K-pop stars from North Korea Hyuk and Seok fled North Korea separately as teenagers. Now, after intense K-pop training, they are making their debut as members of the boy band 1VERSE. Speaking to CNN at a cafe in Seoul, they share their excitement and their dreams. 02:51 - Source: CNN Singer and actress Connie Francis dies at 87 Connie Francis, a pop singer and actress whose hits such as 'Lipstick on Your Collar' and 'Who's Sorry Now' became a soundtrack for a generation of teens in the 1960s, has died, according to a post from her publicist and friend, Ron Roberts. 01:57 - Source: CNN Lightning bolt strikes near delivery man Video shows a lightning strike nearly hitting a delivery man in Wayne, New Jersey, as storms took place across the Mid-Atlantic. 00:36 - Source: CNN Hikers confront man allegedly setting a tree on fire in LA Video shows a tense moment where hikers confronted a man for allegedly starting a fire near Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles on Sunday and prevented him from leaving the scene. Andrew Ocalliham was arrested and charged with one count of arson of forest land, court records show. 01:23 - Source: CNN Walt Disney comes to life on stage Seven years in the making, Walt Disney himself comes to life in a new, groundbreaking attraction at Disneyland. As an animatronic, the founder moves and speaks to the audience, all with a special twinkle in his eye. 01:39 - Source: CNN Prince Harry recreates his mother's historic landmine walk Following in his mother's footsteps, Prince Harry visited Angola's minefields just as Princess Diana did 28 years ago. The Duke of Sussex was in Angola with The Halo Trust as part of the group's efforts to clear landmines. 00:39 - Source: CNN Joaquin Phoenix apologizes for awkward Letterman appearance On Tuesday's episode of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,' actor Joaquin Phoenix talked about his awkward interview with David Letterman in 2009, in which he appeared in-character as himself from his mockumentary, 'I'm Still Here.' 01:08 - Source: CNN 'Love Island USA' star Amaya on standing up for herself "Love Island USA" season 7 winner Amaya Espinal, or "Amaya Papaya", joined Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast after returning from Fiji to discuss her rise in popularity for being a "sensitive gangster" and her relationship with her fellow islanders. 01:25 - Source: CNN The Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle's podcast Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors. In recent months, speculation about their marriage has run rampant after several public appearances where Michelle Obama did not join her husband, including at President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. 01:52 - Source: CNN Massive fire destroys Tomorrowland's main stage Tomorrowland's main stage went up in flames just days ahead of the festival's opening in Boom, Belgium. 00:38 - Source: CNN Why Turkish gulets are the way to sail the Aegean Traditionally used as fishing vessels, the flat-bottomed, wooden hulled gulets have become the ultimate coastal leisure craft. Offering a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern comfort, they are ideal for exploring the stunning coastline and hidden coves of the Aegean, making them a firm favorite for leisurely 'blue cruises.' 01:29 - Source: CNN Robot soccer kicks off China's humanoid sports boom Less Messi, more messy – regardless, China is investing heavily in robot sports as a way of testing how much one can achieve. 01:30 - Source: CNN Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from choreographer's rental car in Atlanta Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer's rental car in Atlanta, according to police. 00:55 - Source: CNN Pandemonium in Japan's 'Panda Town' Pandas, and those who adore them, have been central to the culture and economy in Shirahama, Japan for years. But the four pandas at the town's local zoo really belong to China, and China wants them back, leaving town residents in emotional turmoil. 01:18 - Source: CNN
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Superman' leads to 500% surge in dog adoption interest — but experts warn against ‘impulse' pets
In James Gunn's 'Superman,' David Corenswet stars as the titular character — but the real star of the show is Krypto, his foster dog, who has had a significant cultural impact. Thanks to the love surrounding Krypto — inspired by Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu — interest in dog adoption has surged over 500%. However, experts have warned prospective pet parents not to be blinded by the buzz, urging them to consider the lifestyle they want before bringing a new being into their homes. 3 Thanks to the love surrounding Krypto, interest in dog adoption has surged by over 500%. Warner Bros. Pictures Advertisement According to an analysis by dog training app Woofz, Google searches for 'adopt a dog near me' increased by 513% after the movie's premiere weekend. Searches for 'dog adoption near me' rose by 163% and inquiries for 'adopt a puppy' increased by 31%. More specifically, the interest in 'adopt a schnauzer' is up 299% — as Krypto seemingly is a mix between a Schnauzer and a terrier mutt. Advertisement The dog in the film is entirely CGI (computer-generated imagery), but Gunn told the New York Times that Ozu was the physical model for the flying pup, though Krypto has white fur instead of gray and is a little bigger than Ozu. Warner Bros. helped with that interest in dog adoption, teaming up with Best Friends Animal Society to cover pet adoption fees from July 1-10 ahead of the movie's release on July 11. During that time, there were 454 pets adopted across the nation. In 2024 alone, 4.8 million dogs and cats entered America's shelters, according to Best Friends, putting them at risk of being killed. Adopting a dog gives the animal a second chance at life. Advertisement And while 'Superman' has been a 'barrage of blessings' for Gunn, he shared on social media that the increased interest in dog adoption 'may be the greatest.' 'Ozu has no idea any of this is happening, but if he did, he'd be proud,' he wrote. 3 Krypto was inspired by James Gunn's own rescue dog, Ozu. AFP via Getty Images However, aside from the excitement of the spike in pet adoption interest, Woofz CEO Natalia Shahmetova said in a statement reported by The Wrap that 'adoption is a real commitment.' Advertisement In fact, the 'Superman' director shared his experience with that commitment, saying that at first his dog was 'the world's worst dog.' Gunn said that Ozu 'was biting my feet until they bled, ate my new $10,000 laptop, chewed up all my shoes and our furniture — and I was like, 'Thank God he doesn't have superpowers.'' 3 Google searches for 'adopt a dog near me' increased by 513% after the movie's premiere weekend. hedgehog94 – It's important to be aware of what adopting a dog entails before jumping into an 'impulse adoption.' 'Adopting a pet can be one of the most magical, life-changing experiences of your life, and everyone deserves the unconditional love of a pet, but it's super important that prospective pet parents take honest stock of their home situation and lifestyle before adopting,' Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Veterinary Medical Advisor for Rover, told The Post. 'Are you truly ready for a dog or cat? Do you work long hours? Does the pet have a history of trauma? Do you know the pet's full medical history?' 'The hype will fade, but your dog will stay, so make sure you're ready to give them the time, care, and training they need and deserve,' Shahmetova warned.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A real wag: Superman gets the bleak realities of dog ownership spot on
Superman might be one of the most confusing blockbuster films to hit the big screen this year. The tone, as you might expect from a goofball superhero movie that is plainly about the invasion of Gaza, is all over the shop. Too many characters contribute too little to the plot. There are moments when it feels like it was written specifically to provide work for the silly-glasses and ironic-haircut industries. It is a bit of a mess. But that said, one thing is demonstrably true: the dog is cool. As shown in the trailer, Krypto the superdog is Superman's secret weapon. A mile away from his last screen outing, where he was muscular and proud and voiced by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Superman's Krypto is scrappy and wild. He doesn't obey commands. He destroys whatever equipment is put in front of him. Whenever he may or may not save the day, it seems like he does it out of accident rather than design. And now everybody wants one. Research by the dog training app Woofz has shown that Google searches for 'adopt a dog near me' jumped 513% during Superman's opening weekend. What's more, searches for 'rescue dog adoption near me' rose by 163%, while 'adopt a puppy' rose by 31%. And these searches are specific, too. Krypto is apparently a schnauzer-terrier mix, and 'adopt a schnauzer' searches have risen by almost 300% since Superman's release. There are many potential reasons for this. Perhaps viewers who found themselves confused by Superman's swampy storytelling latched on to Krypto as a guidepoint. Perhaps they have short attention spans and fail to think things through, as with the boom of dalmatian sales (and subsequent boom in dalmatian abandonments) after 101 Dalmatians was released in 1996. Or perhaps it's because Superman is one of the rare films to get dog ownership exactly right. So often in Hollywood, dogs are either loyal companions or would-be therapists who teach their owners about the meaning of love. Think of Marley and Me, in which a dog helps Owen Wilson to love and then dies. Or Turner and Hooch, in which a dog helps Tom Hanks to love and then gets murdered. Or Old Yeller, in which a dog helps a boy to love and then the boy shoots it with a shotgun. Some mix the formula up a little – in The Call of the Wild a dog teaches Harrison Ford to love, and then Harrison Ford dies – but you get the gist. Meanwhile, Krypto is a bit of a dick. The first time we meet him, Superman has been beaten for the very first time. Bleeding and broken, as a last resort he calls on his faithful pup to help him to safety. In any other film, this is exactly what Krypto would have done. But here he leaps all over Superman instead, doing little but compounding his injuries. He's excited. He wants to help. But he's also a dog, so he's sort of useless. Winningly, there's no sentimental ending to his story, either. He doesn't ever really bond with Superman, and he definitely doesn't die. In the end (and this probably counts as a spoiler), Supergirl comes and picks him up, and Superman barely even notices. There's no growth. Nobody learns anything. It's sort of great. It's telling that Krypto was only written into the script after James Gunn adopted a dog of his own, named Ozu. Last year on Twitter, Gunn wrote that 'Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs and never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least. He immediately came in and destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture – he even ate my laptop. It took a long time before he would even let us touch him. I remember thinking, 'Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?' – and thus Krypto came into the script.' And maybe that's the key here. There were no misty-eyed Marley and Me-style reminiscences about Ozu. Gunn was living through the incredibly annoying part of dog ownership where neither party fully trusts the other, and just lifted it wholesale into the script. And this realistic depiction has apparently translated to the hearts of Superman's audience, as we will soon see when thousands of schnauzers are definitely not abandoned at shelters four months from now.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Superman's dog becomes the real hero: Krypto boosts shelter adoptions by 500%
It wasn't Superman's soaring punches or laser eyes that sparked an unexpected trend following 's reboot of the franchise. It was the dog. Yes, the dog. Krypto, the chaotic but lovable mutt who tags along in the film, has quietly emerged as the most influential character in the real world. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He's scrappy and wild. Disobedient to the point of comic disaster. Krypto destroys anything put in front of him gear, gadgets, sometimes the plan itself. And when he does help save the day, it's usually unclear whether it's out of courage or pure dumb luck. But whatever be its mannerism, he has come out as a great character and a trendsetter too. According to data from dog training app Woofz, there's been an explosion in interest around adopting dogs since Superman hit theaters. "Adopt a dog near me" saw a staggering 513% spike in Google searches after opening weekend. The phrase 'rescue dog adoption near me' climbed by 163%. And that's not even the best part. Krypto is chaos, loyalty, and a Schnauzer mix Krypto may be animated, but his origins are deeply personal. James Gunn modeled the character after his own rescue dog, Ozu, adopted while the filmmaker was writing the script. 'I was struggling to train him and just thought, what if this little maniac had superpowers?' Gunn shared during a behind-the-scenes interview. The idea stuck, and Ozu's quirky energy was digitally brought to our screens. He looks like a Terrier-Schnauzer mix, which might explain why searches for 'adopt a schnauzer' rose by 299%, as per Woofz's report. Even more remarkably, Warner Bros. partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to waive pet adoption fees between July 1 and 10 in honor of the movie's release. That effort led to 454 adoptions across the United States. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The shelter group released a reel of families picking up their pups in Los Angeles, calling the collaboration a "surprise gift to hundreds of rescue dogs." 'Your dog won't fade like a box office bump' While the adoption boom is something to cheer for, Woofz CEO Natalia Shahmetova issued a gentle reality check. 'Adoption is a real commitment. The hype will fade, but your dog will stay, so make sure you're ready to give them the time, care, and training they need and deserve,' she said in an official statement. This isn't Gunn's first time stirring conversation about animal welfare through his films. In 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was praised by PETA for its portrayal of animal testing's horrors. 'It was surprisingly emotional,' the group said at the time, calling it 'the most powerful anti-testing statement Hollywood's ever made.'
