‘Clifford’ bad guy embraces the simple
Actor plays tech titan in kids movie.
A big dog in the Big Apple is the perfect formula to get tails wagging, “Clifford” star Tony Hale believes.
The actor portrays the central villain in a new, live-action movie “Clifford the Big Red Dog” — and appreciates how the movie encourages audiences to embrace those who are different.
“It’s a very common message, but done in a creative way that might hit a different neuropath in a kid’s brain or an adult brain and just kind of click, whereas something else wouldn’t,” Hale told the Daily News.
“For kids to see a scene where (Clifford’s owner) Emily in the movie is bullied at school for being different, and then she has a connection with a dog that’s seen as different ... and wanting to root for them, and be accepted, and to be empowered to walk their own journey, I mean, I want my kid to see this. That’s a goal that we can all hope to have one day.”
Adapted from the popular Scholastic book series that began in 1963, the new film introduces Clifford as a tiny lost puppy who forms a bond with a misunderstood New York City girl named Emily Elizabeth.
Emily’s love is what fuels Clifford’s growth, and he suddenly becomes 10 feet tall.
Hale’s character in the movie — released on Wednesday in theaters and on Paramount+ — is tech titan Zack Tieran, whose company Lyfegrow experiments on animals in hopes of making them bigger and increasing the global food supply.
“It’s kind of seen as an environmental company, but what actually he wants to do is manipulate nature for a profit, and it’s not working out,” Hale explained.
“He’s invested all this money, and his employees are doing threeheaded goats and all this kind of stuff, so he’s freaking out. He sees Clifford, and he’s like, ‘If I can get that magic, whatever Clifford has, then I can really just have everything.’ So he just tries to take Clifford down and exploit him.”
Hale enjoyed creating the “spectacle” of an enormous dog unintentionally wreaking havoc in the crowded streets of Manhattan.
Hale rose to fame portraying Buster Bluth on the comedy series “Arrested Development,” and won two supporting actor Emmys for his performance as Gary Walsh on “Veep.”
He enjoyed showing another side with “Clifford.”
“I get the chance to play a bad guy. I typically am known for playing defeated and emasculated really well, so it’s nice to play something different,” Hale said with a laugh.
“Clifford” marks Hale’s latest family-focused project, with others including voicing Forky in “Toy Story 4’ and starring as twin brothers in Disney’s “The Mysterious Benedict Society.”
“I’m 51 years old, and I’m constantly having to remember simple messages,” Hale said. “I think as adults, you forget the power of simplicity, and in children’s ... programming or movies or whatever, there’s a lot of emphasis given to the simple, and I think it’s necessary.”