Red Dog becomes 'blue' in new movie

A new movie about the legendary Australian canine, Red Dog, will begin filming in the Pilbara later this year.

  • State Government confirms funding support for new movie, Blue Dog

  • Film will follow the early years of the much loved character from the film Red Dog

  • Film will be shot on location in the Pilbara 

  • Red Dog earned $21m at the box office; highest selling Australian DVD of all time

A new movie about the legendary Australian canine, Red Dog, will begin filming in the Pilbara later this year.

Blue Dog will explore the early events leading up to Red Dog's discovery on the road to Dampier and his ultimate rise from ordinary dog to Australian legend.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day and Blue Dog producer Nelson Woss today visited the Dogs' Refuge Home in Shenton Park to scout for potential stars for the next film.  It's also the location of a statue of the late Koko - the dog made famous for playing Red Dog.

Mr Day confirmed the State Government's support for the production through ScreenWest.

"I am pleased that once again people around the world will be able to share in the extraordinary life of Red Dog via the big screen," he said.

"Perth and the Pilbara will be used as pre-production and production locations, generating considerable employment for local crew and significant spend in the local economies.

"Blue Dog will once again shine the spotlight on the Pilbara as the heartbeat of the Australian economy.  Importantly, it will showcase Western Australia's extraordinary landscapes and beautiful filming locations."

Nelson Woss (Woss Group Film Productions) has once again teamed up with writer Daniel Taplitz and director Kriv Stenders for Blue Dog.

Red Dog earned more than $21million at the box office, making it the ninth highest grossing Australian film of all time.  It won Best Film at the inaugural 2012 AACTA Awards and is the highest selling Australian DVD of all time.

Blue Dog will be distributed by Roadshow Films and Good Dog Enterprises.  Screen Australia has also announced that it will provide production funding support to the film. 

       Fact File

  • During his life in the 1970s, Red Dog hitched rides and travelled by foot throughout the Pilbara, adopting people and uniting the community along the way

  • For more information, visit http://www.screenwest.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 6200