Why Would Owen Wilson Voice Marmaduke?

Posted Nov 3rd 2009 11:18AM by Monika Bartyzel
Filed under: Animation, Comedy, Casting, Family Films

Sorry, folks -- while it may have been a few months since we learned about that dreaded Marmaduke project, it hasn't gone anywhere. In fact, the sucker has found its lead voice. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Owen Wilson has agreed to voice the infamous Great Dane in the Fox adaptation.

While the details weren't ironed out initially, the project is now set to be a live-action/CG mix "which has shades of Fox's surprise smash Marley & Me" -- focusing on the Winslow family as they movie from Kansas to Orange County with their slobbering dog. But no, it's not as simple as a travel/fish out of water story. The dog will "navigate a volatile Mutts vs. Pedigrees turf war, woo the purebred of his dreams, and overcome a fall from grace." And here I thought the simple idea of a Marmaduke feature film was vomit-inducing enough. And while I have no interest in the tear-jerking Marley story, I'm pretty sure it's not a CG flick with doggie turf wars that will undoubtedly be rife with ridiculous stereotypes.

I wonder why Wilson would take this on, and possibly label himself as the dog guy, but it looks like he's not the only one drinking the spiked water. The humans will be played by Judy Greer, Lee Pace, and William H. Macy, while Marlon and Damon Wayons, Steve Coogan, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, George Lopez, Emma Stone, and Fergie voice the pups and other CG concoctions. Yeah, sure, actors sometimes need money and take on things for the paycheck, but this just takes it to a whole new level. And does Wilson need the cash? Between Marley and the Smithsonian, and some Fockers on the way, it's not like the dude is in a drought.

Will any of you actually go see this?

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