#INTERVIEW: CAL BRUNKER ON “PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Paw Patrol truly is a Canadian success story, winning fans all around the world since its debut in 2013. Upcoming Feature PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE proudly sports its Canadian colours on the international stage as it sees an upcoming release in theatres. The star-studded Film directed and co-written by Cal Brunker, showcases our own homegrown talent, while also featuring the voices of Hollywood A-Listers like Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian-West, Yara Shahidi, Dax Sheppard, Randall Park and more.

The Film sees the adored pups going head-to-head fighting for what’s right against their arch-enemy Mayor Humdinger, as he gains power in Adventure City, threatening to destroy the metropolis.

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to chat with Toronto’s Brunker, whose work includes Despicable Me, Horton Hears a Who! Ice Age: Continental Drift, Minions and more. PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE sees him team-up with among others, his longtime partner Bob Barlen, whom he co-wrote the Script with.

Brunker tells us about the Film’s proud Canadian attachments.

Brunker: Oftentime, these bigger movies get outsourced and made in America. For us it felt like something we could really be proud of. Not only is the Movie made here, it’s a Show and a Brand that’s loved around the world that really is a Canadian success story. For us it’s a really exciting moment premiering this Movie here in Toronto this Saturday.

We ask him why he thinks this Franchise has connected so much with this next generation.

Brunker: It’s familiar and it’s got these great characters that they love. I’ve got a three-year-old and a six-year-old and we’re constantly watching this stuff at home. I always watch them watching it and see they’ve each got their favourite pups and I think that’s why people keep going back to it over and over.

The Film features a roster of A-List Voice Talent. Brunker tells about getting names like Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel and Kim Kardashian West involved.

Brunker: One of the things that made it a wonderful casting experience is a lot of them have kids that watch Paw Patrol, and they wanted to be superstars to their kids. I know Tyler’s son is huge fan and Jimmy‘s little one he jokes about on his show. We’re aware of those people who already are in the Paw Patrol world in their own lives with their families. We reached out and the response was wonderful.

In terms of working with them, most of it was done over Zoom ,which is a first for me. Normally you’re with the Actors and it’s easier to play around with them when they’re in the same room. They were all absolutely wonderful. We just took as much time as it needed over Zoom, improvised and tried to different things and built the characters like that.

He tells us about what he hopes the audience will take away from PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE.

Brunker: The Movie is about overcoming one’s fears. That’s the main emotional story in the Film. It seems like the type of theme that will really resonate as we have been dealing with fear the past year and a half. The Film is really coming out at the right time. And hope it will connect to kids and families alike.

See our Chat with Brunker below. Including beanie‘s pitch to star in the next Paw Patrol movie!

Elevation Pictures release PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE Friday, August 20, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)