Trailer for Dennis Quaid’s ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Asks ‘What Is the Meaning of Life?’

Dave McNary

26 August 2016 at 1:36 pm

Universal has released its first trailer for “A Dog’s Purpose,” with a canine asking in voiceovers such existential questions as “What is the meaning of life?” and “Why does food taste better in the trash?”

The Friday release coincided with National Dog Day. The movie has a Jan. 27, 2017, release date in the U.S. for the Amblin Entertainment and Walden Media film, starring Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton and Britt Robertson.

Based on the bestselling 2010 novel by W. Bruce Cameron, “A Dog’s Purpose” is directed by Lasse Hallström (“The 100-Foot Journey”) and centers on one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he loves by teaching them to laugh and love.

“If I can get you licking and loving, I have my purpose,” the dog notes at one point.

The book is written in the voice of a dog who is reincarnated several times. The dog’s names given by his human owners include Toby, Bailey, Ellie, Bear and Buddy.

K.J. Apa, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz and Pooch Hall also star. Gavin Polone (“Gilmore Girls”) is the producer. The film is executive produced by Alan Blomquist and Mark Sourian.

The film was originally developed at DreamWorks. Watch the trailer below.