Air Bud Entertainment announced that two Golden Retrievers — Charlie and Summer — have been selected as the winners of The Search for the Next Air Bud, a nationwide casting event that captured the hearts of dog lovers across the country.
The search invited Golden Retriever families nationwide to audition their dogs for a chance to take on one of the most beloved canine roles in film history: Buddy, the basketball-playing Golden Retriever who became a household name in the original Air Bud films. After narrowing thousands of submissions down to 30 finalists, and then four, our team selected Charlie and Summer as the two Goldens who best embody Buddy’s athleticism, charm, and heart.
“The Search for the Next Air Bud has been an incredible journey,” said Robert Vince, Writer/Director of Air Bud Returns. “We weren’t just looking for well-trained dogs — we were looking for that special spark. Charlie and Summer had the presence, the personality, and yes, the basketball skills to make audiences believe in Buddy all over again. They carry the magic that made the original so unforgettable.”
Charlie and Summer will undergo training with professional animal trainers before making their big-screen debut in Air Bud Returns, which begins filming October 1, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada. The film is slated for a theatrical release in Fall 2026 by Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS), a next-generation entertainment studio.
The Air Bud franchise has been a global family favorite for more than 25 years, spanning 14 films and multiple series, generating more than $500 million in revenue and over one billion views worldwide. With Air Bud Returns, the story comes full circle — reintroducing Buddy to a new generation while celebrating the nostalgia of families who grew up with him.
Fans can follow Charlie and Summer’s journey from backyard hopefuls to big screen stars at returns.airbud.com and on Instagram at @airbudofficial.
