Agents of D.O.G.

Agents of D.O.G. is an upcoming, 2018 animated spy film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Jaydon Higgins and is based on the 2011 film, Cats & Dogs. It's first installment in the Agents of D.O.G. film series. Higgins stated the film is a sequel to Cats & Dogs and is inspired by Rita Christenson's Jane Hoop Elementary series. The film is dedicated to Deacon Bob Killoren who died from a stroke on February 5, 2018, and Higgins grandparents who died 3 years from each other. The film was originally released on November 2, 2018, but was pushed ahead 4 months earlier then another 5 months, now the film will be released on March 23, 2018.

Plot
After the death of his parents, Gavin (Tobey Maguire) joins the D.O.G. Training Academy to prevent the end of the world after Gordon (Tom Butler Tom Butler) told him that he's the chosen one, and with help from Koko, (Joey King) Wyatt, (Nick Robinson) Jackie, (Jason Dolley) and Akira, (Tyrel Jackson Williams) they must overcome their differences to stop Dr. Whiskers (Shawn Hayes) from taking over the world.

Cast
Many characters from Cats & Dogs will be mentioned through-out the film.
 * Tobey Maguire as Gavin: a male German Shepherd/Alaskan Klee Kai mix, leader of the squad and the main protagonist. Like Harry Potter, he's an orphan and has a scar of his face. Gavin is the only hybrid in the group, the chosen one, and is inspired by Danny Gorden. He's been given a red collar.
 * Max Charles as young Gavin.
 * Joey King as Koko: a female American Wirehair who becomes friends with Gavin. She's the first ever cat to become a D.O.G. agent and the only female in the squad and is inspired by Rebecca Henry. She's been given a pink collar.
 * Nick Robinson as Wyatt: a male Grey wolf, who's rivals with Gavin, then later becomes one of his friends and a member of the squad. Wyatt was separated by his parents before Gavin joined D.O.G. and is inspired by Alec Gutzwiller. He's been given a blue collar.
 * Jason Dolley as Jackie, a male Golden jackal and the athletic member of the squad, and he's friends with Akira. Jackie speaks in a Africa Accent since he's born in Africa and is inspired by Jaquille Short. He's been given a black collar.
 * Tyrel Jackson Williams as Akira: a male Arctic fox and the brains of the squad, he's friends of Jackie. Unlike most Arctic foxes, he's raised in Japan, Tyrel had to learn Japanese to get the role and is inspired by Cory Berning. He's been given a yellow collar.
 * Justice Smith as Murphy: a male Goldendoodle and a friend of Gavin, despite not being a member of the squad, he helps them. Murphy has bad luck, due to him experiencing Murphy's law and is inspired by Higgins's Aunt's dog with the same name.
 * Ryan Drummond as Raymond: a male German Shepherd, Gavin's deceased Dad and one of Whisker's victims. Drummond was known for voicing Sonic the Hedgehog in the game series if the same name.
 * Elizabeth Perkins as Carly: a female Alaskan Klee Kai, Gavin's deceased Mom and of the Whisker's victims.
 * Rachael Taylor as Leslie: a female Hawaiian Poi Dog from a Parallel dimension, co-founder of D.O.G. and Gordon's best friend. She comes from a universe where Extinct animals roam the world.
 * Brooke Timer as Geneva: a female Birman co-founder of M.E.O.W. and Whiskers' wife. Timer is known for portraying Dr. Catwoman in the Jane Hoop Elementary film series.
 * Logan Lerman as Percy: a male Coyote, co-founder of D.O.G., teacher of "Paw-to-Paw" combat, and Gordon's best friend. He was a friend of Raymond and Carly, before their deaths.
 * Jude Law as Spencer: a male Yorkshire Terrier and teacher of hacking. Though he wasn't a D.O.G.'s co-founder, he knew the skills of hacking.
 * Jason Foster as Andre: a male Abyssinian and a spy of M.E.O.W.
 * Phillip Glasser as Alec: a male Dalmatian and teacher of disguising. Alec was well known for disguising himself to look like other dogs.
 * Eddie Izzard as Greg: a male Asian cat, and a spy of M.E.O.W.
 * Adam Harrington as Ziggy: a male Akita and teacher of camouflaging: Ziggy is one of Gordon's friends before he was a spy.
 * Susan Sarandon as Olivia: a female Raccoon dog and teacher of self-defense, she has a crush on Spencer.
 * Tom Butler as Commander Gordon: a male Alpine Spaniel who's the last of his species, founder of D.O.G., Leslie's best friend and mentor of the  squad. He doesn't trust cats, due to Whiskers killing his family, 'till Gavin befriend Koko. Gordon's name is a reference to Commissioner Gordon from Batman.
 * Sean Hayes as Whiskers: a male Khao Manee, Geneva's husband and the main antagonist. He killed Gavin's parents and is the reason Gordon's the last of his species. Hayes previously worked on Cats & Dogs as Mr. Tinkles.

Development
Jaydon Higgins created the story for the first film on late 2017. Stevin Spielberg was hired to direct the film, along with John Williams, who will compose the score. Michael Goldenberg was original hired to write the script, but was replaced by Jaydon Higgins, due to creative differences.

Logo
The film had different logos during pre-production. Higgins reviled that the film's title would be Agents of D.O.G.

Casting
James Franco was originally going to voice Gavin, the protagonist of the series, but left due to have trouble filming Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad. So he'll be replaced by fellow Spider-Man actor, Toby Maguire, who previously worked on Cats & Dogs as Lou. It was confirmed that Franco will return to portray Gavin's cousin. Weeks later, Joey King and Nick Robinson was cast as two of the four of Gavin's friends, Koko, a cat from the other side; and Wyatt, a grey wolf that didn't trust cats 'till later. Lastly, Jason Dolley and Tyrel Jackson Williams was cast as the dynamic duo and the other two of the five, Jackie, a golden jackal; and his friend, Akira, an Arctic fox from Japan. Later, Ryan Drummond, Elizabeth Perkins, Tom Butler, and Sean Hayes was cast in the film. 3 more characters where announced on February 8, 2018.

Filming
Production started on October 2, 2017 and ended January 7, 2018. Additional filming started on January 10, 2018 and ended February 10, 2018.

Soundtrack
The score was compose by John Williams, who's know for his work on Jurassic Park, Star Wars, the first three Harry Potter films and the Heroes Forever Series, the soundtrack was somehow released on ITunes February 9, 2018, but will be on CD February 19, 2018 along with unreleased tracks.

Release
The film will be released on March 23, 2018, one week before Best Friends Reunion.

Reception
The film's teaser was released on YouTube and was received mixed reviews form critics and audiences, a reporter from The New York Times stated if Jane Hoop Elementary meet Harry Potter, which is a reference to the game of the same name. The first trailer was shown during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics and received positive reviews.

Raiting
Unlike Cats & Dogs, the film is rated PG-13 for explicit language, violence, scary images, and peril.

Sequel
Prior to the film's release, Higgins confirmed there'll be a sequel depending on the odds. In February 11, 2018, it was confirmed that directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were attached to directing the second film. In Mid-February 2018, it was confirmed that the sequel will introduce five more characters, which will turn out to be fictional versions of dogs/cats from Higgins' childhood, and is expected to be released somewhere in early or mid-2019.

Related Links
Agents of D.O.G. to be raited PG-13. Agents of D.O.G. at the IMDb

Should I make sequels? Heck Yes! Yes. OK. No. Heck No!