The Call of the Wild is a 2020 adventure film directed by Chris Sanders and based on Jack London’s classic 1903 novel of the same name. The film stars Harrison Ford as John Thornton, a man who befriends a sled dog named Buck in the wilds of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. This adaptation brings the timeless story of survival and companionship to life with the help of cutting-edge CGI technology.
Release Date:
The Call of the Wild was released on February 21, 2020, by 20th Century Studios, marking one of the first major releases following the Disney-Fox merger. The film’s release was a significant event for Disney as it continued to adapt and release classic stories under the 20th Century Studios banner.
Budget:
The film was produced on a substantial budget of approximately $125–150 million. A large portion of this budget went into the visual effects, as the animals in the movie, including Buck the dog, were brought to life using advanced CGI. Instead of casting a live animal, the filmmakers opted for a digitally created dog to ensure full control over its performance and to maintain authenticity while avoiding the challenges of working with real animals in such a demanding and action-packed environment. The visual effects, handled by MPC (Moving Picture Company), were key to recreating the vast wilderness and the detailed expressions of the animals.
Harrison Ford, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, played a crucial role in drawing in audiences. His presence lent a sense of gravitas and heart to the film, making his interactions with the CGI Buck a central emotional component of the story. Ford’s involvement, combined with the innovative use of visual effects, contributed to the film’s relatively high production cost.
Success Story:
The Call of the Wild faced a unique challenge as it was released just before the global COVID-19 pandemic affected theaters worldwide. Despite this, the film managed to gross around $111 million globally. Although it fell short of breaking even theatrically due to the timing of its release and the high production budget, the film found success on streaming platforms and digital rentals, gaining a solid following in home entertainment.
Critics and audiences praised Harrison Ford’s heartfelt performance and the film’s visual splendor, even though there were some criticisms about the overt use of CGI. Ultimately, The Call of the Wild succeeded in delivering a family-friendly adventure with a message of resilience and loyalty, staying true to the spirit of Jack London’s original novel. Its ability to blend a classic tale with modern filmmaking techniques solidified its place as a visually stunning and emotionally compelling adventure film.
