Hollywood star Brad Pitt has spoken warmly about his on-set experience with Uber, the former police and search-and-rescue German Shepherd who plays the central canine character Odin in the upcoming survival adventure 'Heart of the Beast'. The film, produced by Paramount Pictures in association with Domain Entertainment and Gulfstream Pictures, releases exclusively in cinemas across India on 25 September 2026.

A New Zealand-Wide Search for the Right Dog

To find the animal at the heart of the film, the filmmakers launched a New Zealand-wide casting call — the country where 'Heart of the Beast' was shot. Animal trainer Andrew Simpson, who has worked on the production, also conducted his own parallel search. He ultimately selected four dogs to collectively portray Odin across the film's action-heavy, location-intensive sequences.

'All of these dogs had been sitting on somebody's couch watching TV and eating treats when we found them,' Simpson said. The team dedicated the first of five training weeks simply to understanding each dog's personality and quirks before tackling the film's demanding material.

Uber: From Police Work to the Big Screen

Of the four, Uber — a majestic German Shepherd with a distinguished working history — emerged as the principal dog used for the role, particularly in close-up shots. Having served first as a police dog and then in search and rescue, Uber had retired following the passing of his handler. It was Simpson who rediscovered him and recognised the depth of experience he could bring to the project.

'He's used to being in helicopters, boats, trucks. You name it; he's done it,' Simpson noted. 'And he has the Brad Pitt face of dogs, so he's the dog we used most often for close-ups.' So central did Uber become to the shoot that the filmmakers placed him number one on the daily call sheet — a position typically reserved for the film's lead actor.

What Brad Pitt Said About Working with Uber

Pitt himself was effusive in his praise. 'He was really good when we were hiking through the woods and through the forest,' the actor said. He also recalled the moment trainer Simpson first encountered Uber while visiting the North Island of New Zealand, recounting the trainer's reaction: 'Her exact words were, "I knew he had another life in him."'

Director David Ayer reportedly worked closely with Simpson throughout production to maximise what the animals could deliver on screen. 'This movie is action from beginning to end, and every scene had its own challenges for us. Luckily, David was open to understanding how to get the best out of the animals,' Simpson said.

The Full Canine Cast

The remaining three dogs rounding out the Odin role are Ryker and Zika — littermates and sons of Uber — along with their younger half-brother Hondo. Each was trained over the five-week programme to handle the film's varied and physically demanding shooting conditions.

With its India theatrical release set for 25 September 2026, 'Heart of the Beast' arrives as one of the more unusual major-studio productions of the year — a survival adventure built as much around its canine lead as its Hollywood star.