There’s a new Air Bud making his way onto the court.
“Air Bud Returns,” the 2026 sequel to the beloved franchise about a basketball-playing dog, has cast two Golden Retrievers in the coveted canine role of Buddy. Charlie and Summer were chosen from more than 5,000 dogs from across the country that submitted for the role. The casting search for Air Bud whittled down the contestants to 30 finalists, then a top four, then Charlie and Summer, who “best embody Buddy’s athleticism, charm, and heart.”
“The search for the next Air Bud has been an incredible journey,” said Robert Vince, writer and director of “Air Bud Returns.” “We weren’t just looking for well-trained dogs — we were looking for that special spark. Charlie and Summer had the presence, the personality, and yes, the basketball skills to make audiences believe in Buddy all over again. They carry the magic that made the original so unforgettable.”
Charlie, from Ohio, and Summer, from San Diego, will work with professional animal trainers before making their big-screen debut on “Air Bud Returns,” releasing in fall 2026 by Cineverse. Filming will begin Oct. 1 in Vancouver.
The film’s logline reads: “In ‘Air Bud Returns,’ 12-year old Jacob has always dreamt of being a star basketball player. After the passing of his father, that dream felt even more impossible. But everything changes when he and his mom move into his dad’s childhood home in Fernfield. There, Jacob discovers an original VHS of the ‘Air Bud’ movie in his father’s belongings and has a chance meeting of a stray golden retriever he names Buddy. Together they embark on a journey of healing, unite a team of misfits, and chase a championship. Through it all they learn to play from the heart, believe in each other, and always take the shot!”
Watch a video of Charlie and Summer in action in the video below.
