Clifford the Big Red Dog Delayed Amid Concerns Over Delta Variant

July 31, 2021

Paramount Pictures looks to be rethinking its release plan for its upcoming live-action film Clifford the Big Red Dog, according to a recent report from Deadline.

Paramount has moved the planned September 17, 2021 release for the film, citing concerns over the still spreading delta variant of COVID-19. While the film is complete and is highly anticipated by some, it’s less likely that families will be traveling to movie theaters to see it in the current climate.

Instead, the report notes, Paramount Pictures will look for a new U.S. release date, with the initial reports noting that September 22 could be a date, but that the film instead currently has no release date whatsoever. Clifford the Big Red Dog was also set to screen at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, although it’s unclear whether or not the film will still be there after the change in release date.

In Clifford The Big Red Dog, When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!

The film will be led by Darby Camp (Big Little Lies) as Emily, Jack Whitehall (Jungle Cruise) as Uncle Casey, John Cleese (Monty Python) as Mr. Bridwell, Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil) as Maggie, and Tony Hale (Veep) as Peter. It will also feature Izaac Wang, Rosie Pere, Kenan Thompson, Paul Rodriguez and Jessica Keenan Wyn.

Based on the children’s book series by Norman Bridwell, the film is directed by Walt Becker from screenplay written by Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Annie Mumolo, and Stan Chervin. Jordan Kerner and Scholastic Entertainment’s Deborah Forte are also producing.