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When TV fanatics hear "Chicago," their minds probably go to the hit network franchise that includes Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and more. The co-creator of said franchise, Michael Brandt, has a new project that has just been released — but this time, it's up on the big screen. Arthur the King is adapted from famed adventure racer Mikael Lindnord's acclaimed book about his life-changing experience 10 years ago when the eponymous furry friend entered his world. Later named Arthur, a beloved dog that followed Mikael and his team to the finish.

Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg plays Mikael in the new movie from Lionsgate and directed by Simon Cellan Jones, and we recently caught up with screenwriter Brandt to learn more about his experience adapting the book to screen, and what it's been like writing for other hit Hollywood franchises.

The '2 Secret Weapons' of Arthur the King

Arthur the King PG-...

Netflix has released a Benji trailer for a brand new reboot of the beloved dog-friendly franchise, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s downright adorable. The film hails from writer/director Brandon Camp, whose father Joe Camp created the original Benji in 1974. That film spawned a franchise that spanned several feature films about the lovable mutt, and they even created a TV series called Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince. This new Benji is a modern retelling of that classic story, as it revolves around an orphaned dog who is found and rescued by two New Orleans …...

Netflix has released the first trailer and poster for the highly-anticipated Benji movie, which is getting ready to debut on the streaming service March 16. This movie comes from producer Jason Blum and his team of horror masters over at Blumhouse, with the company carving out a new niche for itself by taking on this family film. Production began on Benji way back in October 2016, but now the adventure is finally ready to see the light of day, ending this project's long journey to the screen.

A modern day retelling of the classic, the story of Benji follows one orphaned puppy and Carter and Frankie, two capricious New Orleans school kids who strike up a friendship with the tenacious street dog. When danger befalls them and they end up kidnapped by robbers who are in over their heads, Benji and his scruffy sidekick come to the rescue. Blumhouse picked up the...

Everyone’s favourite pup is back for a brand new adventure. Related: Tom Hardy Recites ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ To His Unimpressed Dog And Twitter Finds It Hilarious In the first trailer for Netflix’s modern day retelling of the 1974 classic “Benji”, a family adopts an adorable stray dog with a heart of gold. In the film,...

Wow! Here's a blast from the past that I haven't thought of in years! Today Netflix released the trailer for a new original film called Benji. This movie is based on a franchise of films that were made in the 70s and 80s. I completely forgot about these films until I saw this trailer pop up today and then all these memories came flooding back of watching those old-school Benji films.

There were nine Benji films made between 1974 and 1987 and they followed the adventures of a shaggy dog named Benji. In this latest film, Benji "comes to the rescue and helps heal a broken family when a young boy and his sister stumble into some serious danger."

My kids love dogs, so there's no doubt they are going to want to watch this. The movie was directed by Brand Camp (Love Happens) and the cast includes Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp,...

It has been quite some time since Hollywood has produced a hit movie centered around an adorable dog, but that may very well change next year. That being said, the movie is coming from a very unlikely source. Blumhouse, the studio behind Paranormal Activity and Sinister, is making a Benji reboot and it is filming right now. The studio also recently announced the cast for the movie, who also have a history with horror flicks.

Deadline is reporting that the cast for the new Benji movie will be headlined by Kiele Sanchez, who is known for her roles in The Purge: Anarchy and the TV series Kingdom. Other members of the cast included Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Will Rothhaar, Angus Sampson and Jerod Haynes. The report also noted that the movie is already in production in New Orleans.

Brandon Camp is taking over the reigns of the franchise from his father Joe,...

After six years (or 42, from the point of view of its canine star), Brandon Camp’s Benji reboot has finally started filming. Camp—the son of Joe Camp, who directed the 1974 original—has assembled a cast that includes The Purge: Anarchy’s Kiele Sanchez, Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Will Rothhaar, Angus Sampson, Jerod Haynes, and, presumably, a pretty adorable dog.

Less authoritarian than Rin Tin Tin, more approachable than the haughtily aristocratic Lassie, Benji has traditionally been portrayed by scruffy mutts in his on-screen roles. The new Benji was apparently found in a Humane Society after being abandoned in a supermarket parking lot; now he’s on-set in New Orleans, working to foil kidnappings and bring the franchise back after a 12-year hiatus.

[via Deadline]...

Exclusive: Director Brandon Camp’s retelling of his father Joe Camp’s 1974 Benji movie has unveiled its cast including Kingdom and Purge: Anarchy actress Kiele Sanchez, Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Will Rothhaar, Angus Sampson and Jerod Haynes. Pic, which is already in production in New Orleans, La, also boasts renowned animal consultant Mark Forbes as head trainer whose work has been seen in such movies as We Bought a Zoo, Marley & Me and Dr. and Doctor Dolittle. Also…...

Brandon Camp, son of Joe Camp, will write and direct a reboot of the cute dog franchise "Benji" for Blumhouse Productions.

Yes Blumhouse, the microbudget studio responsible for "Paranormal Activity," "Insidious," "The Purge," and "Sinister" franchises, is behind the project which will allow Brandon free creative rein on the film just like his father when he created the original 1970s films and series outside the studio system.

Described as a modern retelling of the dog tale with a newly rescued new Benji, the film will follow the pooch with an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, usually to help someone overcome a problem.

Both Camp and Jason Blum will produce the project.

Source: Deadline

TV Promos: Outcast, Preacher, Peaky, CW Outcast

Ahead of its June 3rd premiere, Cinemax has made the pilot episode of its new exorcism drama series "Outcast" available online. Created by...

Chevy Chase's 1980 comedy Oh! Heavenly Dog is being remade by Fox 2000.

The cult film focused on a private investigator who is killed, before coming back to life as a dog to solve his own murder.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Alvin and the Chipmunks filmmaker Tim Hill will helm the project and pen the script with Dave Johnson.

Brandon Camp - the son of the original film's director Joe Camp - will produce with Temple Hill.

Chase starred in the original film alongside Jane Seymour and Omar Sharif, while the dog was played by a descendant of famous film dog Benji.

Another Chevy Chase remake, Vacation, is at cinemas now. Watch a trailer below:...

The 1980 Chevy Chase comedy Oh! Heavenly Dog is getting the remake treatment at Fox 2000, with the studio hiring Tim Hill (Hop) to direct. The filmmaker will also co-write the script with Dave Johnson. Temple Hill, the production company behind the young adult franchise The Maze Runner, are producing. The original movie was set up as a starring vehicle for Chevy Chase and his canine co-star Benji, who were equally popular back when the film was made, with the comedy existing solely on the box office draw of its marquee names.

The story centered on a private investigator (Chevy Chase) who is stabbed to death after discovering a dead body. It is decided that he won't go to Heaven or Hell, but instead is sent back to Earth as a dog, tasked with solving his own murder. The original comedy movie also starred Jane Seymour, Omar Sharif and Robert Morley. The dog was played by Benjean,...

Uggie: 'The Artist' dog star. Uggie, 'The Artist' scene-stealing dog star, has died The biggest non-human movie star of the 21st century, Uggie, whose scene-stealing cuteness helped to earn Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist the 2011 Best Picture Academy Award, has died. According to his official Facebook page, Uggie had been suffering from prostate cancer; he was euthanized last Friday, Aug. 7, '15. Born in 2002, Uggie was 13 years old. An announcement posted on Tuesday night, Aug. 11, on the Fb page Consider Uggie read: We regret to inform to all our friends, family and Uggie's fans that our beloved boy has passed away. We were not planning on posting anything until we healed a little more but unfortunately somebody leaked it to TMZ and they will be announcing it. In short, Uggie had a cancerous tumor in the prostate and is now in a better place not feeling pain.

Ron Moody in Mel Brooks' 'The Twelve Chairs.' The 'Doctor Who' that never was. Ron Moody: 'Doctor Who' was biggest professional regret (See previous post: "Ron Moody: From Charles Dickens to Walt Disney – But No Harry Potter.") Ron Moody was featured in about 50 television productions, both in the U.K. and the U.S., from the late 1950s to 2012. These included guest roles in the series The Avengers, Gunsmoke, Starsky and Hutch, Hart to Hart, and Murder She Wrote, in addition to leads in the short-lived U.S. sitcom Nobody's Perfect (1980), starring Moody as a Scotland Yard detective transferred to the San Francisco Police Department, and in the British fantasy Into the Labyrinth (1981), with Moody as the noble sorcerer Rothgo. Throughout the decades, he could also be spotted in several TV movies, among them:[1] David Copperfield (1969). As Uriah Heep in this disappointing all-star showcase distributed theatrically in some countries.

Brandon Camp, son of Joe Camp and director of the romantic comedy Love Happens, hopes to keep his father's legacy alive by rebooting the ever popular Benji franchise. But he needs your help in finding the next successor to take over the role of this beloved pooch, originated by a fourteen year old mutt named Higgins in the 1974 original, and then passed down to his daughter, a distant relative, and even a shelter dog discovered in South Mississippi as the series ran the gamut from big screen outings, to TV specials, through a Saturday morning series, and even a comic strip.

Joe Camp and movie animal trainer Mark Forbes have set up a Facebook page that allows pet owners and Shelter Workers to post photos of their dogs and various strays that could possibly make the cut as Benji. If you think the next superstar hound resides in your living room,...

The Artist's dog star Uggie Uggie, probably the most famous movie canine since the Benji's Higgins — perhaps even earlier, since the days of Lassie, Asta, and Rin Tin Tin — poses backstage at the 84th Academy Awards, held at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood on Sunday, February 26, 2012. Golden Collar winner Uggie became a star after playing a key supporting role in Michel Hazanavicius' Best Picture Oscar winner The Artist. (Photo: Todd Wawrychuk / © A.M.P.A.S.) In addition to co-starring opposite Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in The Artist, Uggie also had a supporting role in Francis Lawrence's Water for Elephants, starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, and the elephant Tai. Besides Dujardin and Bejo, Uggie's fellow The Artist players were Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle, John Goodman, James Cromwell, and Malcolm McDowell.

Actor Peter Breck (right, in Shock Corridor), best known for his role as the short-tempered Nick Barkley in the 1960s television series The Big Valley, died Monday, Feb. 6, in Vancouver. Breck, who had been suffering from dementia, was 82. Though mostly a TV actor (Black Saddle, Maverick, The Fall Guy), Breck also appeared in about 20 movies. The most notable among those was probably Samuel Fuller's thriller Shock Corridor (1963), in which he plays a journalist who commits himself to a mental institution in order to solve a murder. Additionally, Breck was featured in Joe Camp's blockbuster Benji (1974), about a stray dog who rescues two kidnapped children. Breck's other features were minor fare. Those included Herbert L. Strock's The Crawling Hand (1963), about the hand of a dead astronaut that spends its time strangling the living, plus Highway 61 (1991), Decoy (1995), Lulu (1996), and Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004). Breck is the third The Big Valley...

When it comes to famous movie dogs, Benji is fairly high up on the list for reasons I don't quite understand. He didn't have any specific skills, like the child-rescuing Lassie or the cop Rin Tin Tin, but he was cute and scruffy and lord knows he's had a long film career, starting with 1974's Benji and going all the way up to 2004's Benji: Off The Leash. That last film wasn't exactly a hit but Benji is still a recognizable name, at least to people who were children in the 80s and now have children of their own to expose to their favorite movie dog. I think you can see where this is going. Variety reports that Walden Media is planning a big Benji reboot with Brandon Camp, son of the character's creator Joe Camp Jr. and a filmmaker in his own right, having directed and co-written the...

<img src="http://www.darkhorizons.com/assets/0013/0828/benji_article.jpg" /><p>World famous mutt Benji is making a big screen comeback in a new family adventure feature at Walden Media reports <a href="http://www.variety.com">Variety</a>.</p> <p>"Love Happens" filmmaker Brandon Camp, son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr., will produce, direct and pen the script for this reboot which aims to retain the feel and charm of the original films and their emotional journeys for the character - "Benji is a heartfelt character, and he's always been an underdog."</p> <p>A nationwide search will soon begin for a canine actor to play the titular Benji and are expected to screen test dogs at a pound (the original Benji star was also a pound puppy).</p>...

Walden Media (Chronicles of Narnia) is planning to reboot "Benji" for a new generation of young movie-goers and has teamed with the son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr to write, direct and produce. Camp (Love Happens) will begin a nationwide search to find a dog and hopes to partner with a rescue organization to "screen test dogs in pounds," he said, because the original Benji, a dog named Higgins, was a pound puppy. "My fantasy is to find a stray," he explained. "The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the look that I'll be going for." Benji first appeared in 1974's "Benji," as a homeless mutt adopted by a family. That film, developed for less than $100,000, went on to earn nearly $40 million domestically and spawned four follow-ups, including the Chevy Chase detective comedy "Oh, Heavenly Dog"; a short-lived Saturday morning kids show; a holiday...

Benji is the latest franchise to get a reboot. According to Variety, Brandon Camp (Love Happens), son of Benji creator Joe Camp Jr., has partnered with Walden Media (the folks behind The Chronicles of Narnia films), to write, direct, and produce a movie resurrecting the helpful underdog mutt. His goal is to “screen test dogs in pounds” to find his star, which will make an awesome DVD special feature (unless the rejected dogs can sense the opportunity they’re missing, then you might as well just show me the Sarah McLachlan Aspca ad).

Brandon Camp told the trade he wants...

“There's a voice that keeps on calling me. Down the road, that's where I'll always…” No. Hang on… That’s The Littlest Hobo. Let’s try that again. Scrappy mutt Benji is the one planning a cinematic comeback, and he’s got some familiar (and familial) support behind him.Brandon Camp, who last directed Aaron Eckhart/Jennifer Aniston romance-fest Love Happens, is aiming to get his father Joe Camp Jr’s canine creation in front of a fresh audience, sealing a deal with Walden Media to make a new movie and launching a search for the right shelter dog to play the loveable hound. "My fantasy is to find a stray," Camp tells Variety. "The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the look that I'll be going for."First unleashed (sorry) on the world in 1974 by ad man Joe, the tale of Benji has been an underdog (no,...

Walden Media has hired Brandon Camp to write, direct and produce a reboot of the popular canine character "Benji."According to Variety, Camp is the son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr.Walden Media, responsible for the "Chronicles of Narnia" franchise, is based out of Fox.Camp recently co-wrote and directed Universal's "Love Happens," starring Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. The franchise began in 1974 with "Benji." In the film, "Benji" is a stray dog that is taken in by a Texas family and helps to rescue the children of the family when they are kidnapped.The film was produced for less than $100,000 and went on to earn nearly $40 million domestically. Joe Camp Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, opened the film in...

Walden Media (the folks behind the Chronicles of Narnia movies) are aiming to reboot the Benji franchise. For those who have never heard of Benji, the lovable mixed-breed dog first appeared on screens in 1974. The character then starred five more films including For the Love of Benji and Benji the Hunted. Now Variety reports that Brandon Camp., son of original Benji creator Joe Camp Jr., is planning to write, direct, and produce a new movie that will re-launch the franchise for a new generation. Camp most recently co-wrote and directed the Jennifer Anniston flick Love Happens.

It a feel-good note, Camp says that they’ll be looking for a shelter dog to play the new Benji. The original Benji, “Higgins”, was a pound pup that got the gig. Says Camp, “My fantasy is to find a stray. The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the...

Every score of years (that's 20), one dog makes his mark in film. In the 1950s, it was Lassie. In the 1970s, it was Benji. In the 1990s, it was Beethoven. So here we are, in 2010 and, no movie dog has really marked his territory. So, Walden Media is bring back Benji.

Benji was an adorable mutt who went on adventures and the movies were told from the dog's perspective. Benji was brought back in 2004 for Benji Off the Leash which didn't do that great at the box office, $3.8 million to be exact.

The Benji films were created by Joe Camp and his son, Brandon Camp, will write, direct and produce this new movie. Job One is finding a new Benji and Camp is searching dog pounds across America in hopes of finding a talented Benji lookalike. The original Benji (whose real name was Higgins) was found in a dog pound.

Since favorite canines like Scooby-Doo and Marmaduke have made a launch to the big screen, why not bring back a scruffy, lovable dog who doesn't sound like a smart-ass or get scared by ghosts? Variety reports Walden Media, the Fox-based company behind the Chronicles of Narnia franchise, is looking to reboot the family friendly franchise Benji with the Brandon Camp, son of franchise creator Joe Camp Jr., to write direct and produce a film to bring the dog back to the big screen. While Benji may be a family favorite for some, the motivation behind this new project isn't exactly one of creative necessity, and actually sounds like a desperate snag for money. Camp is quoted as saying that this is a great time for the return of Benji "from a business point of view." While most recognizable brands and characters are heading to the big screen because they're more...

One of the most adorable dogs in the world is making his return back to theaters fairly soon. That's right, the super-duper lovable "Benji" is coming back with the help of Twentieth Century Fox's Walden Media. The son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr., Brandon Camp, will be writing and directing the new installment. Now the search is on to find a cute stray dog to be the new Benji. "My fantasy is to find a stray," Camp said. "The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the look that I'll be going for.""Benji is a heartfelt character, and he's always been an underdog," Camp said. "Many companies are interested in bringing back a project purely for the namesake and not the storytelling." Camp's been behind the camera before, the most recent writing and directing run being the Aaron Eckhart romantic drama "Love Happens." No...

Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical

Benji, the canine star of an Academy Award-nominated film, will be brought back to life in a reboot tailored to young consumers moviegoers, according to Variety. The dream is to find a suitable stray through a rescue organization, thus plucking a lucky young dog out of a pound and making him (or her) a star.

Brandon Camp, son of 'Benji' filmmaker Joe Camp Jr., will write, direct and produce. While he feels that the time is right for a reboot from "a business point of view," he insists that he's most interested in bringing the story of a heartfelt "underdog" (his word, not ours) to the big screen. Flying in the face of (recent) conventional wisdom that has seen dogs most often portrayed by computers ('Bolt') or a combination of animal, computer graphics, and human voices ('Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore'), the...

Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical

Benji, the canine star of an Academy Award-nominated film, will be brought back to life in a reboot tailored to young consumers moviegoers, according to Variety. The dream is to find a suitable stray through a rescue organization, thus plucking a lucky young dog out of a pound and making him (or her) a star.

Brandon Camp, son of 'Benji' filmmaker Joe Camp Jr., will write, direct and produce. While he feels that the time is right for a reboot from "a business point of view," he insists that he's most interested in bringing the story of a heartfelt "underdog" (his word, not ours) to the big screen. Flying in the face of (recent) conventional wisdom that has seen dogs most often portrayed by computers ('Bolt') or a combination of animal, computer graphics, and human voices ('Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore'), the...

Most kids today probably have no idea who or what Benji is but that's about to change. Fox and Walden are teaming up on a reboot of the classic film series about a heroic stray dog. Writing and directing the film will be Joe Camp, Jr. (Love Happens) who just happens to be the son of Joe Camp, creator of the franchise. Camp says he's launching a nationwide search to find a new Benji with hopes that, like the original dog, he can find a stray in a dog pound. He said he paired with...

The lovable and scruffy pooch Benji will return to the big screen via Walden Media. Brandon Camp, son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr., is set to write, direct and produce a film which will reboot the character to fresh young viewers. According to Variety, Camp will begin a nationwide to find a dog and hopes to partner with a rescue organization to "screen test dogs in pounds," he said, as the original Benji (a dog called Higgins), was a pound puppy himself. Camp said that his "fantasy is to find a stray. The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the look that I'll be going for."...

The lovable and scruffy pooch Benji will return to the big screen via Walden Media. Brandon Camp, son of "Benji" creator Joe Camp Jr., is set to write, direct and produce a film which will reboot the character to fresh young viewers. According to Variety, Camp will begin a nationwide to find a dog and hopes to partner with a rescue organization to "screen test dogs in pounds," he said, as the original Benji (a dog called Higgins), was a pound puppy himself. Camp said that his "fantasy is to find a stray. The original Benji, the one most of us grew up with, is the look that I'll be going for."...