Kevin Cooper, producer of the 2003 Robert Duvall/Michael Caine/Haley Joel Osment family picture, “Second Hand Lions,” makes his feature directing debut with the canines-run-amok horror picture “Day of the Dogs,” which films for four weeks in the Chicago area beginning July 15.
“It’s a film about the fears we have after being betrayed, after something we know and love changes its heart,” Cooper said.
Cooper wrote the script with Paul Soter of the comedy collective Broken Lizard, which is responsible for the indie hits “Super Troopers” and “Club Dread.”
They’re still raising the $500,000 budget from private investors through Cooper’s L.A.-based Amarok Productions. “There are still opportunities to invest,” said producer Dmitri Moore.
Cooper is still looking for several roles, including the lead, a 35-year-old firefighter racing across his mad-dog-ridden suburb to rescue his young son.
“Patrick is a very typical American hero,” Cooper said. “A firefighter, loving and responsible but also somewhat rebellious, daring and irresponsible. He represents the good we have here in America and how, when we do it right, we can help people.”
They’re in talks with local handlers to wrangle a pack of 20-25 dogs that will perform in the film.
