Feb
James Gunn Honors Rescue Dog That Inspired Krypto During 2025 Puppy Bowl
During the 2025 Puppy Bowl, director James Gunn took a moment to honor his rescue dog, Ozu, who served as the inspiration for Krypto, the Superdog.
Gunn, who is also the co-head of DC Studios, appeared in a special promo during the Animal Planet event to highlight the importance of adopting shelter dogs. He paid tribute to Ozu, emphasizing how the dog had transformed his life. Alongside the adorable pups participating in the Puppy Bowl—featuring more than 120 rescue dogs—Gunn’s message aimed to promote shelter adoptions.
“In many ways, Ozu changed our lives, and he also inspired a character in the film I’m excited for you to meet—Superman’s best friend, Krypto,” Gunn said in the promo. “Krypto has all the powers of Superman, and he’s just as lovable and mischievous as many of the irresistible pups we’ll see today.”
Gunn previously shared the heartwarming story of adopting Ozu, revealing that the dog came from a hoarding situation where he lived with 60 other dogs and had little interaction with humans. Despite the challenges, Ozu’s personality left a lasting impact on Gunn, who reflected on how the experience led him to add Krypto to the script.
“Ozu came from a tough situation, and when he arrived, he tore through our home—destroying everything from shoes to furniture, even my laptop. It took time before he even let us touch him,” Gunn recalled in a post on Threads. “I remember thinking, ‘What if Ozu had superpowers?’ And that’s when Krypto was born, influencing the direction of the story while Ozu changed my life.”
Krypto is just one of several iconic DC characters making an appearance in Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, set to hit theaters on July 11. The movie follows Kal-El (played by David Corenswet) as he grapples with his life in Smallville and his Kryptonian origins. Alongside Superman, fans will see Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), and a host of other characters, including new faces like Milly Alcock as Supergirl.
Meanwhile, in the Puppy Bowl, one pup seems to embody the strength of a superhero. Bark Kent, a rescue dog from Andover, Massachusetts, has taken on the persona of the DC icon in this year’s event. The Puppy Bowl is available for streaming on discovery+ and Max after the live broadcast.
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