A massive recent headline in the world of celebrity pets was the announcement that Air Bud Returns, the 15th feature film installment in the ABCU (Air Bud Cinematic Universe), is due out in 2026. This comes 12 years after the last Air Bud movie, Super Buddies, which came out in 2013. Then, Air Bud Entertainment announced that they’ve launched a nationwide search to find the canine star of the upcoming movie.
Air Bud Returns will be written and directed by the franchise creator himself, Robert Vince. The story will center on a 12-year-old boy named Jacob who is grieving the loss of his father. When he and his mom move into his dad’s old house, he discovers a vintage VHS tape of the original Air Bud movie. Soon after, he meets a neglected golden retriever he names Buddy, and together, they embark on a journey of healing and basketball glory. So since the original Air Bud movie exists in this movie, it appears to be a soft reboot/multiverse type situation, ala Deadpool & Wolverine or the recent Jurassic World movies.
The team is, of course, looking for a purebred golden retriever who is athletic and, ideally, loves to ball. Lead animal trainer Mark Forbes is heading up the search, and both male and female dogs are encouraged to apply. Pet owners can submit their hopeful hounds via the official Air Bud website, and all who enter will be eligible for prizes like movie merchandise and even a trip to the Hollywood premiere.
Also check out our deep dive on the true story of Air Bud and Buddy the basketball-playing golden retriever.
