Unveiling the Shocking On-Set Incident: Exclusive Details Behind Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Actor's Unexpected Setback

Summary

Filmmaker James Gunn's efforts to befriend the dog actor who played Cosmo the Space Dog on set unintentionally sabotaged filming.

James Gunn's affection for dogs proved to be a source of distraction as he found himself engrossed in playing with the canine actor. Consequently, this posed a challenge for the dog to maintain its focus during filming scenes.

Despite being unable to participate in shooting, Slate, the dog actor, played a significant role on set by offering valuable reference material for visual effects. Additionally, Slate's presence assisted in adjusting the lighting specifically for Cosmo's character.

Filmmaker James Gunn's amiable nature inadvertently disrupted the filming of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 when he tried to befriend the dog actor portraying Cosmo the Space Dog. Gunn is known for building friendly relationships with his actors and frequently rehires those he has enjoyed working with in the past. However, this approach did not work out well with Slate, the dog cast as Cosmo. Stephane Ceretti, a visual effects production supervisor on the film, disclosed to ComicBook.com the challenges Gunn faced with Slate. Ceretti described how Gunn, a dedicated dog lover, became distracted by playing with the dog actor in between takes, causing Slate to become overly excited and unable to refocus on filming when shooting was supposed to resume. Read below to learn more about Ceretti's insights.

Why GOTG Vol. 3 Mo-Capped Cosmo With A Human

The majority of the work involved using Slate as a reference. We thoroughly examined Slate, scanned him, and even utilized his fur to ensure accuracy. We observed his movements and captured high-quality footage to study. Whenever we had scenes featuring Cosmo alongside Slate, we made sure Slate stood in front of the camera to capture his appearance in different lighting conditions. Although Slate wasn't suitable for filming due to his playful nature, having him on set was invaluable. Director James took a liking to Slate and would often play with him, resulting in Slate's disinterest during filming. Despite this, it was a fantastic experience as we were able to match and incorporate the reference footage seamlessly. The French store responsible for creating Slate was particularly grateful for our dedicated efforts.

To enhance the portrayal of Cosmo the Space Dog, Ceretti enlisted the expertise of Oscar-nominated actor Maria Bakalova, who provided the character's voice while utilizing motion-capture technology. Despite this arrangement, Slate maintained involvement in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, serving as the physical reference for Cosmo the Space Dog. Additionally, Slate also stood in for Bakalova during filming sessions, ensuring the lighting corresponded to what the viewers would perceive if there was a genuine canine presence on the screen.

Ceretti's work with Slate for a majority of their projects has predominantly involved referencing, highlighting the significant transformation of Cosmo in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Initially seen in the first movie as a member of The Collector's vast collection of extraterrestrial species, the character was portrayed by the canine actor Fred for a brief appearance. However, in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Vol. 3, Bakalova's casting resulted in a notable change in the character's gender and the utilization of VFX to enhance the emotional portrayal of the endearing Guardian.

Not only was Gunn captivated by the dog, but Bakalova also had high praises for her furry co-star, referring to Slate as the "very friendly on-set mascot" of the movie. Slate was not just a good girl but deemed the finest, akin to the beloved Cosmo the Space Dog in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Regrettably, the only hindrance preventing her on-screen presence was James Gunn's fondness for dogs.

Source: ComicBook.com