A dog embraces the winds of change in The Art of Racing in the Rain trailer

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

20th Century Fox has unleashed an official trailer for THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, an upcoming comedic drama from director Simon Curtis (WOMAN IN GOLD) that's sure to get dog lovers' tails wagging with excitement.

Hailing from the studio that made you cry your faces off with MARELY & ME and based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Through his bond with his owner, Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life. The film follows Denny and the loves of his life – his wife, Eve (Amanda Seyfried), their young daughter Zoe (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo.

Also set to appear in the "good boy" tale of a life well lived are Gary Cole, Kathy Baker and Martin Donovan.

Originally, Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to Stein's novel with Patrick Dempsey set to star. Unfortunately, the project was unable to secure a director and was placed on the studio's back-burner. Later in 2016, Disney took ownership of the property and began working on an adaptation with Meil Mortiz set to produce. Unfortunately, the second attempt also stalled after a series of complications. Finally, in 2017, the film's screenwriter, Mark Bomback, announced that Fox 2000 would be bringing the emotional dog's journey to the big screen.

"I'm hoping the third time's the charm, and I'm optimistic that next year will be when it finally goes into production," said Bomback in a statement.

Ugh! This movie is going to make people cry, isn't it? You just know that the dog will have died by the end of it, after living one hell of a life both on and off the race track. Why do studios do this to us dog lovers? I bet you they have a secret pact with Kleenex. That must be it. 

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN will race into theaters beginning on August 9th.