The studio behind the Despicable Me franchise has finally broken its silence on the first of two 2016 films in terms of its actual title and release date.
Deadline has recently reported that Illumination has officially confirmed that the title for what had been originally known as Untitled Pets Movie is indeed The Secret Life of Pets. The now official title of the film had been originally reported as a rumor that had floated around the internet for quite some time.
With the title confirmation, Illumination also gave the film a new release date. Originally set for February 12, 2016, The Secret Life of Pets has migrated to a summer release date of July 8, 2016.
Had the film kept its original release date, The Secret Life of Pets would have opened a mere three days after The Nut Job 2 in addition to facing off against Fox/Marvel’s Deadpool. Now, it will open on the same day as Star Trek 3 in addition to opening the week before the release of Ice Age 5 and a week after the release of Warner Bros.’ David Yates-directed take on Tarzan.
They have also added a third name to the script. Brian Lynch will be working on the screenplay with Illumination’s frequent go-to writing duo Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. This will mark Brian’s third collaboration with Illumination (after Hop and this year’s Minions).
Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, the film features a mix of established and up-and-coming comedic talents, which includes Louis C. K. (Max), Eric Stonestreet (Duke), and Kevin Hart (Snowball), Albert Brooks (Tiberius), Bobby Moynihan (Mel), Lake Bell (Chloe), with Ellie Kemper as Max and Duke’s owner, and Hannibal Buress in an unspecified role.
The plot synopsis can be read down below:
For one bustling Manhattan apartment building, the real day starts after the folks on two legs leave for work and school. That’s when the pets of every stripe, fur and feather begin their own nine-to-five routine: hanging out with each other, trading humiliating stories about their owners, or auditioning adorable looks to get better snacks.
The building’s top dog, Max (Louis C.K.), a quick-witted terrier rescue who’s convinced he sits at the center of his owner’s universe, finds his pampered life rocked when she brings home Duke (Stonestreet), a sloppy, massive mess of a mongrel with zero interpersonal skills. When this reluctant canine duo finds themselves out on the mean streets of New York, they have to set aside their differences and unite against a fluffy-yet-cunning bunny named Snowball (Hart), who’s building an army of ex-pets abandoned by their owners and out to turn the tables on humanity… all before dinnertime.
The Secret Life of Pets will bow in theaters on July 8, 2016.
What do you think? Any thoughts on the official title and the new release date? Are you looking forward to the film?
Edited by: Morgan Stradling
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