Iowa Pup Making Big Screen Debut In “The Friend”

Hollywood is on the phone for one dog in Iowa.

We know that Iowa has produced a few human celebrities, and even a few canine athletic stars at the Puppy Bowls.

Read More: Meet The Iowa Puppies Playing In Puppy Bowl XXI

Dog-centric movies always get the best of me and there's a new one in theatres called "The Friend". It's based off of a 2018 novel of the same name and (without giving away too much, as there is a key difference between the book and the movie) is basically about a Great Dane that provides great comfort and companionship to a lady in a unique time in her life.

Here's the trailer:

See that pretty pupper, Bing? He's from Iowa!

According to WHO13, when writer-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel were looking across the country for a Great Dane that could play the part, they ended up at an obedience training club in Des Moines. Bing's owner, Beverly Klingensmith, has a kennel on a 10-acre property in Newton.

Bing's co-star, Naomi Watts, said about him:

He was a very curious dog and he did really look at you with attention. I found him a pure delight to work with. The scene when I break down, if he hears crying, he’s a little spooked. He picks up on everything. He’s like: ‘Is something wrong?’

Bing's other co-star, Bill Murray, also had praise for the pup:

The dog gives an amazing performance. When I first saw some of the cut footage, I realized the dog had been listening to everything that’s going on in every scene. The dog’s reactions to what’s happening in the scene is better than many actors or actresses I’ve worked with. Many. Not Naomi.

Some high praise from some big names for Bing! "The Friend" is in theatres starting this week.