Meet the real Krypto: James Gunn’s dog Ozu gets a Puppy Bowl tribute
During this year’s Puppy Bowl, Superman director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn made a special appearance to introduce fans to his personal Superdog—his rescue pup, Ozu, who inspired the portrayal of Krypto in the upcoming film.
In a heartfelt promo during the Animal Planet event, Gunn shared Ozu’s story while encouraging viewers to consider adopting shelter dogs. The Puppy Bowl, an annual event that promotes pet adoption, featured over 120 rescue dogs from various shelters across the country.
“As Ozu was changing our lives, he became the inspiration for a character in the film that I can't wait for you to meet—Superman’s best friend, Krypto,” Gunn said. “Krypto has all the powers of Superman and is as lovable and mischievous as many of the irresistible pups we’ll see today.”
Ozu’s journey from rescue to Hollywood inspiration
Gunn previously shared more details about adopting Ozu, a dog who had been rescued from a hoarding situation where he lived in a backyard with 60 other dogs. Adjusting to his new home wasn’t easy.
“Ozu… never knew human beings, [so] he was problematic to say the least,” Gunn recalled in a post on Threads. “He immediately came in and destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture—he even ate my laptop. It took a long time before he would even let us touch him.”
Gunn then revealed how Ozu directly influenced Superman’s script. “I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?’—and thus Krypto came into the script and changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.”
Superman introduces Krypto and a star-studded cast
Superman, set to hit theaters on July 11, will feature David Corenswet as Clark Kent, balancing his Smallville upbringing with his Kryptonian heritage. He’ll be joined by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The cast also includes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, among others.
Additionally, Milly Alcock is expected to make her debut as Supergirl before headlining her own standalone film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which is currently in production.
The Puppy Bowl’s own "Superdog"
The Puppy Bowl also had its own nod to DC’s superhero legacy with Bark Kent, a rescue pup from Andover, Massachusetts. With his playful energy and charm, Bark Kent was a standout among the dozens of adorable competitors in the event.
The Puppy Bowl is available for streaming on discovery+ and Max following the live broadcast.
