The Unexpected Reason Behind Lucy Hale Naming her Dog Channing Tatum & How It Stole Our Hearts

Summary

Lucy Hale explains why her character's dog is named Channing Tatum in the rom-com Puppy Love.

Other choices considered for the dog's name included Mark Ruffalo and Mutt Damon.

Premiered on Freevee on August 18, Puppy Love features Hale and Grant Gustin and showcases Nicole and Max, who are passionate about dogs. The story revolves around their dogs falling in love, which consequently leads to more frequent interactions between them.

Lucy Hale, star of Puppy Love, recently revealed the reasoning behind her character's dog's name in the new romantic comedy. Premiering on Freevee on August 18th, the film features Hale alongside Grant Gustin from The Flash. The plot revolves around Nicole (Hale) and Max (Gustin), both dog enthusiasts, who, after a disastrous first date, vow to avoid each other. However, their dogs, Channing Tatum and Max's dog, develop a deep affection for one another, leading to unexpected interactions between Nicole and Max.

Prior to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, TVInsider interviewed Lucy Hale about Puppy Love 2023. During the discussion, Hale was questioned about the selection of the name Channing Tatum for her character's dog. She disclosed that numerous celebrity-themed names were considered, including Mark Ruffalo and Mutt Damon. Ultimately, Channing Tatum was chosen because it facilitated several humorous exchanges within the film. Read Hale's complete statement below.

We went through many names, but there were a few scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the movie. Interestingly, the first time you hear the name "Channing Tatum" is when Grant says, "Oh, this must be Channing Tatum," during our initial meeting.

It's a bit surprising, right? However, some of the other names we considered ranged from Mark Ruffalo to Mutt Damon. Mutt Damon was actually a really good choice. I'm not sure who ultimately decided on Channing Tatum, but it's quite amusing. The name lends itself to many hilarious one-liners.

Puppy Love's Dog Name Calls Back to a Hollywood Tradition

Lucy Hale and Grant Gustin in Puppy Love

In Hollywood, it's not uncommon for leading ladies in romantic comedies to give their pets quirky or unique names, and Channing Tatum is no exception. The tradition of naming animals after celebrities has been a longstanding one. In the movie The Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl's character Abby has a cat named D'Artagnan, inspired by The Three Musketeers. This tradition can be observed in various genres as well. In Steven Spielberg's 1989 fantasy romance Always, Holly Hunter's character chooses to name her cat Linda Blair. Additionally, the beloved character Charlotte York-Goldenblatt from Sex and the City and its spin-off And Just Like That, portrayed by Kristin Davis, owns a dog named Richard Burton.

Puppy Love's Channing Tatum pays tribute to beloved pets seen on screen, while also providing a glimpse into Nicole's personality. Her irreverence and knowledge of pop culture indicate that she doesn't take things too seriously. This quality might allow her to recognize the magnitude of her mistake in rejecting Max's offer for a second date.