Strays director Josh Greenbaum has finally seen his film hit theaters after waiting for four-plus years. Originally, Greenbaum’s feature directorial debut, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, was intended to have a traditional theatrical release. However, due to the pandemic in 2020, Barb and Star, like many other films, had to shift to premium VOD or streaming platforms. Despite this unexpected change, the film managed to become a cult hit, thanks to the hilarious performances of Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, and Jamie Dornan.
The success of Barb and Star led to Greenbaum being invited by Guillermo del Toro to host the Directors Guild of America Q&A for the film. This unexpected turn of events made Greenbaum realize that even though his first film was not released in theaters as initially planned, it still found its audience and had a positive impact. This realization helped him come to terms with the situation.
Now, Greenbaum’s latest film, Strays, is finally playing in movie theaters. Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the comedy is a talking-dog film that challenges the typical narrative of saccharin dog movies. In Strays, the lead dog, Reggie, voiced by Will Ferrell, seeks revenge against his former owner, Doug, played by Will Forte, for abandoning him. Alongside Ferrell, the film features the voices of Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park.
Greenbaum took inspiration from John McTiernan’s The Hunt for Red October when it came to the dog dialogue in the film. Similar to how the Russian characters in McTiernan’s film spoke Russian to each other, even though the audience heard English, Greenbaum decided the dogs in Strays would do the same. Although the dogs communicate in English for the audience’s understanding, they are actually speaking a different language among themselves.
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During a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Greenbaum shared insights into the making of Strays. He revealed that one of the dogs used in the film was adopted by him after the shoot. The dog, named Sophie, played the real star of the movie. Greenbaum also praised his daughters’ enthusiasm for the new addition to the family, despite already having a dog at home.
Greenbaum attributed the opportunity to direct Strays to the success of Barb and Star. After completing Barb and Star, Greenbaum received the script for Strays, which intrigued him with its unique and unconventional storyline. The script combined outrageous, R-rated comedy with complex characters and a heartfelt narrative. As a filmmaker, Greenbaum wanted to continue exploring fresh and different concepts, and Strays provided that.
Getting a hard-R talking-dog movie made was a challenge, but with the support of the right team and Universal Studios, Greenbaum was able to bring his vision to life. The studio, known for understanding original R-rated comedies, believed in the project and provided the necessary financial support. Greenbaum expressed his gratitude for their continued support throughout the filmmaking process.
When it came to pairing the voices with the dogs, Greenbaum cast the dogs first and then locked in the voice cast during production. He studied each dog’s demeanor and matched them with the characters they portrayed. For instance, Will Ferrell’s voice perfectly captured the brilliant, naive, innocent, and sweet nature of Reggie. Jamie Foxx, on the other hand, brought his unique talent to the role of Bug, the opposite of Reggie’s character.
Overall, Strays marks a significant milestone for Greenbaum as his first film to receive a widespread theatrical release. It combines comedy with emotional depth, creating a unique blend similar to films like Bridesmaids and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. With Strays finally hitting theaters, Greenbaum couldn’t be happier and prouder of the film’s journey from conception to execution.
