Disney Announces New ‘Scud’ Film Based on Iconic ‘Toy Story’ Villain
Zac Efron Cast in Leading Role
Walt Disney Pictures has announced a new origin film titled Scud, which will be centered around the secondary antagonist from the first Toy Story film. Unlike the original series, this prequel spin-off will be entirely live action with Zac Efron providing voiceovers for the violent bull terrier’s inner monologues.
This is the second Toy Story origin film to be announced after Lightyear was confirmed last year. Scud is expected to be a much grittier expansion of the fictional universe. The screenplay will examine Scud’s innocent early life and his subsequent descent into villainy. Since the story ends before the events of Toy Story, there will be no appearances from Woody, Buzz Lightyear, or any toys whatsoever. However, the film will feature Scud’s memorable accomplice, Sid Phillips.
“This is not a movie about talking toys,” said Disney Executive Bob Iger at a recent investor presentation. “That story has already been told. What people really want to see is more about the non-toy characters from Toy Story.”
Some plot details are being kept under wraps, but Scud will primarily take place on the “mean streets of San Francisco,” according to Iger. “Basically it starts with Scud’s early life as a devoted father who runs away from his breeder when his children are abruptly sold to another family without his consent. Scud then turns to a life of vagrancy and gets involved in several street gangs before he finally ends up in the city pound. And that’s where he is adopted by the Phillips family who then subject him to further abuse. All of these formative events come together to cement that cold-hearted cynical attitude that Scud has become known for.”
Director Jon Favreau emphasized that Scud is really about the old ‘hurt people hurt people’ adage. “Everyone has always wondered, ‘Why is Scud so mean? Why is he lashing out?’ That’s what we’re going to explore in this film.”
“He’s the ultimate anti-hero,” said Efron, regarding his casting. “As an actor, you’re always hoping to get roles as rich as this one. Scud’s journey has definite parallels with Michael Corleone in The Godfather.”
Other cast members have yet to be announced, but it has been confirmed that Randy Newman’s music will be forgone in favor of a much darker soundtrack composed and performed by Eminem.
Disney also revealed that a second Scud film is already in the early stages of development. If green-lit, the untitled prequel-sequel would delve into Scud’s later years and specifically, a prolonged battle with cancer that ultimately takes his life.
