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Dog's Prosthetic Leg Steals Show in New Film
13 Oct
Summary
- German Shepherd Uber stars as Odin, a combat canine.
- Odin wears a custom-fitted prosthetic leg for realism.
- Brad Pitt trained closely with Uber for on-screen chemistry.
The film "Heart of the Beast" features Uber, a German Shepherd, in the leading role of Odin, a former combat canine. Animal trainer Andrew Simpson discovered Uber in New Zealand, a challenging find due to strict biosecurity laws. Uber's unique background includes failing police dog training for being too kind, a trait that made him ideal for the role.
Odin's character sports a prosthetic leg, an element retained to honor real veteran service dogs. These were custom-fitted by a New Zealand prosthetics maker, with stunt and hero versions created for various scenes. Brad Pitt, who played Odin's human partner, actively trained with Uber, developing a strong on-screen connection.
Simpson noted that Uber was essentially the star, even outranking Pitt on the call sheet, requiring a dedicated team of twelve for his needs. The film emphasizes practical effects, with nearly 90% of stunts performed using real elements like dirt and water, making the training for scenes, such as jumping from an airplane with a prosthetic leg, particularly challenging.
