James Gunn reveals how his dog Ozu inspired Krypto in new Superman film
June 20 marked National Bring Your Dog to Work Day, and filmmaker James Gunn took the opportunity to share a personal story about how his own dog played a central role in shaping his latest cinematic endeavor, Superman. The upcoming film, scheduled for release on July 11, introduces audiences to a new Man of Steel, portrayed by David Corenswet, and features a loyal canine companion, Krypto the Superdog.
Superman and Krypto the Superdog.
James Gunn
Krypto, a fluffy white dog with heroic abilities, draws inspiration directly from Gunn’s real-life pet, Ozu. The director adopted Ozu during the initial phase of writing the script for Superman, and the unruly nature of the rescue pup sparked an idea that would ultimately shape the film’s direction. Speaking to PEOPLE, Gunn recalled, “When I first adopted Ozu, I was starting to write the Superman script. Ozu was such a terrible, uncontrollable dog — tearing up our entire house — I thought, 'What if he had superpowers? We'd be screwed.' And thus, the filmic Krypto was born. He really just gave the script that unusual aspect that made it fun to write."
The connection between Ozu and Krypto first came to light in October 2024, when Gunn shared a more detailed backstory on social media. In an Instagram post, he described Ozu’s traumatic beginnings and the chaos that followed his arrival. Rescued from a hoarding situation where he lived among sixty other dogs in a backyard, Ozu was unfamiliar with humans and initially exhibited destructive behavior. “He immediately came in & destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture — he even ate my laptop,” Gunn wrote. Trust took time to build, but that journey deeply influenced the story and Gunn’s personal life.
Ozu didn’t just help develop Krypto’s personality — he also served as the visual model for the character. Both dogs share distinctive features, including a scruffy coat and one floppy ear. Gunn explained that Ozu’s physicality and movement informed much of Krypto’s behavior in the film. “We’d captured Ozu’s body and used it as the model for Krypto, just changing the color of his fur. We also used the hundreds of video references for the way Ozu played and fought and bit my feet for Krypto’s onscreen actions,” he said.
Even Ozu’s reaction to seeing his doppelgänger on screen became a noteworthy detail. Gunn observed that his dog tends to bark at most animals that appear on television, but there’s a special enthusiasm reserved for his own likeness. “He seems to attack himself as Krypto most of all,” Gunn shared, highlighting the uncanny connection between the pet and his fictional counterpart.
Today, Ozu has come a long way from the anxious, destructive dog Gunn brought home. The director shared a glimpse into the current state of his pet’s personality, revealing that Ozu has formed an unlikely bond with the household cat. “Ozu loves my 13-year-old cat, Emily. She’s been around dogs all her life and really hasn’t paid them much attention, but for some reason, she puts up with Ozu and loves to play with him,” Gunn said. One of their favorite games involves Emily and Gunn hiding and springing out at Ozu as he races around the house in a burst of excitement.
The energy and charm of Ozu live on through Krypto, offering animal lovers and fans of the franchise a playful and emotional dimension to the story. As Superman takes flight in theaters on July 11, audiences will not only witness a new take on the iconic superhero but also experience the canine charisma that began with one spirited rescue dog.
