Real Dog Joins Cast of New Scooby-doo Film, Sparking Debate
WHO:
Fast Company - Netflix, PETA, Lauren Thomasson (PETA’s director of Animals in Film and Television), American Humane Society, ASPCA
Forbes - Netflix, fans of Scooby-Doo
WHAT:
Fast Company - The teaser for "Scooby-Doo: Origins" was released on June 8, showcasing the unnamed Great Dane puppy who will portray Scooby-Doo.
Forbes - The live-action adaptation has sparked controversy over the perceived change in Scooby-Doo's breed appearance, with some fans mistakenly believing the dog resembles a brown lab rather than a Great Dane.
Fast Company - Netflix’s upcoming live-action series "Scooby-Doo: Origins" will feature a real dog portraying Scooby-Doo for the first time in the franchise’s 57-year history.
Fast Company - The show will premiere in 2027.
Fast Company - The cast includes Mckenna Grace as Daphne, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma, Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, and Tanner Hagen as Shaggy.
Forbes - The live-action adaptation has sparked controversy over the choice of a real dog instead of CGI, which was used in previous adaptations.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The production is associated with Netflix, a streaming service.
WHEN:
Fast Company - The teaser for "Scooby-Doo: Origins" was released on June 8.
Fast Company - The show is set to premiere in 2027.
WHY:
Fast Company - Lauren Thomasson, PETA’s director of Animals in Film and Television, stated, “We’re hopeful the production took PETA’s advice to use a cast or crew member’s real-life companion,” emphasizing the importance of responsible guardianship and humane treatment of animals in film.
Fast Company - PETA opposes the use of animals for entertainment due to concerns about behind-the-scenes cruelty and encourages the use of motion capture and CGI instead.
Fast Company - The decision to cast a real dog is seen as a potential turning point for the franchise, promoting responsible guardianship and natural appearances in dogs.
HOW:
Forbes - The debate over the dog's appearance centers on the choice between using an ear-cropped Great Dane for a traditional look versus a natural-eared dog, which may appear less like the animated character.
Fast Company - The production aims to introduce a Great Dane puppy with natural ears, avoiding the controversial practice of ear cropping.
Forbes - The debate centers around whether to use an ear-cropped Great Dane for a more traditional look or a natural-eared dog, which may appear less like the animated character.
(UPDATED June 10, 2026 01:46 UTC)
The teaser for "Scooby-Doo: Origins" was recently released, introducing the unnamed Great Dane puppy set to portray Scooby-Doo, but it has sparked controversy among fans who believe the dog resembles a brown lab instead of a traditional Great Dane. PETA’s director of Animals in Film and Television, Lauren Thomasson, expressed hope that the production followed their advice to use a cast or crew member's real-life companion, highlighting the importance of humane treatment of animals in film. The debate continues over whether to use an ear-cropped Great Dane for a classic look or a natural-eared dog that might not closely resemble the beloved animated character.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 23:25 UTC)
Netflix is making waves with its upcoming live-action series "Scooby-Doo: Origins," which will feature a real dog portraying Scooby-Doo for the first time in the franchise's 57-year history, with the show set to premiere in 2027. The cast includes Mckenna Grace as Daphne, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma, Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, and Tanner Hagen as Shaggy, but the choice of using a real dog instead of CGI has sparked controversy, particularly from PETA, which advocates for the use of motion capture technology. The production aims to introduce a Great Dane puppy with natural ears, steering clear of the controversial practice of ear cropping, as the debate continues over the best way to represent the beloved character.