By Marcus Harun
NBC News
A Hollywood movie producer is searching for a dog that can charm millions on the big screen as star of the next Benji movie.
The character Benji has appeared in many movies and television specials from 1974 to 2004. Producer Brandon Camp, whose father Joe Camp found the original Benji more than 40 years ago, is now looking for the next superstar mutt for a sequel.
Brandon Camp has set up a Facebook page where people across the country can post photos and videos of their dog. He will be scanning through all the photos and visiting shelters around Los Angeles to find the perfect match.
“I won’t take no for an answer,” Camp told NBC News. “I know this dog is out there, we will find this dog.”
Benji has been played by four dogs over the years and Camp is looking for a mutt who matches the previous dog in looks and in attitude. A playful dog that can be serious, goofy and mischievous is what Camp is looking for, but he said it’s not that simple.
“There are certain qualities that you look for in any movie star, whether it’s a human or a dog,” Camp said. “It’s that charisma it’s that handsome quality, it’s that sparkle in the eyes. So you can write all of that down and say these are the traits that I’m looking for, but at the end of the day it’s love at first sight.”
The human roles in the upcoming movie have not been cast as of yet because Camp said they need to find Benji first. The plot of the sequel is still a secret, but he said it is a love story between a man and his dog and it’s sure to bring laughs and surprises.
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