‘Charlie the Wonderdog’ Director Unmasks ICON’s Animated Super Pooch!

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Watch out, Krypto! There’s a new super canine in town.

Next year Canada’s largest independent CG company, ICON Creative Studio (Monsters at Work, Disney Jr.’s Ariel, WondLa) will introduce Charlie the Wonderdog to the world. The film, which will be released on Jan. 16, 2026 in the U.S, Canada and 30-plus other countries, follows a young boy and his dog Charlie (voiced by Owen Wilson), who gains superpowers after an alien abduction. It is directed by Shea Wageman, with a script by Wageman and Steve Ball. Carson Loveday, VP of ICON Creative Studio, is the film’s producer.

Wageman gave us an early peek at his fun 3D CG family movie:

Animation Magazine: The movie looks like a lot of fun. Can you tell us a bit about the beginnings and inspiration for your movie?

Shea Wageman: We’ve always loved super hero movies, but we felt it was would be unique and powerful if the hero was an aging ‘man’s best friend’ (a dog close to the end). Everyone who owns a pet knows the day will come when you have to say goodbye, and what if … something wonderful happened before that time came, which prolonged your adventure with your special four legged pal?

Geoff Taylor is the production designer, Owen Wilson is the voice of Charlie Wonderdog, with Dawson Littman as his nine-year old owner, Danny. The voice of the villain cat Puddy is provided by Ruairi MacDonald.

What do you love about this movie?

Following many superhero films, we set up the good guys and the bad guys, having received their powers by visitors from outer space. The film dives deep into the emotion of friendship and family, really exploring the connection between the main characters  — Danny and Charlie on the good side and the neighbors Otis and his diabolical cat, Puddy, on the bad side. We show the deep connection between Danny and Charlie, and what amazing friends and family will do for each other in times of need.

In our view, what will make this movie stand out is it’s not a superhero story, but it’s one of friendship and believing in each other.

Can you tell us a bit about the animation production and the overall visuals?

The film is entirely CG animation produced at ICON Creative Studio Vancouver. The budget was roughly $20 million CAD. Charlie the Wonderdog is meant to compete with the highest levels of animated feature films, and was completed within ICON Creative’s new CGI pipeline, which was designed specifically to produce competitive, Hollywood-level features on moderate budgets which can monetize with today’s audiences and within today’s marketplace.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the film?

We hope audiences will want a sequel! having felt the connection between the main characters and the amazing fun ride the movie takes you on!

For more information, visit iconcreativestudio.com.