Abandonment filmAd
Movies about bears aren't new. Cocaine Bear, The Revenant and The Edge are a few notable examples. But real bears are very seldom used in movie-making. Most films involving bears, like The Revenant or the recent Cocaine Bear, use CGI or animatronics to create the animals. In the very rare cases where real bears have been seen onscreen in the past, they are used in shots on their own, very, very far away from the actors. Until now.
Upcoming survival thriller Abandonment, starring Oscar winner and legend Richard Dreyfuss and newcomer Annie Malee, in theaters this fall, is the first film in Hollywood history to not only use real bears, but to use them in close proximity to the stars. And not only were the bears close to the talent, they were actually touching the actors.
"Teddy — that was one of the bear's names, of course! — was a fantastic scene partner, " says Malee. "He was generous, respectful, collaborative…everything you hope for in a costar," she jokes.
"But in all seriousness, he really was such a kind bear. He put his paw on my leg in such a loving way. He smelled my clothes and my hair. He very delicately nuzzled my ankle and playfully started to nibble at my calf. I love bears, so it was the best day of my life!" she laughs.
"And Blue — our other bear — was just an absolute stud. Powerful, menacing…he gave a fantastic performance which really sold it!" says Malee.
Malee adds "But I was the most grateful to our animal team, Corkey Miller and Action Animals, for keeping me safe, but even more importantly, for caring for her bears in such an ethical and humane way."
Corkey Miller has accumulated decades of experience working with exotic animals, and her animals have been seen in hundreds of major motion pictures.
Most importantly, Miller features rescue animals that have found their "furever" home with her. Miller is a champion for the humane treatment of all animals and is a huge advocate for teaching children how to care for their pets properly.
It was important to Malee, who also wrote and produced the film, to be as true as possible to the story by using actual black bears, only if the bear talent used on set was treated humanely and ethically.
"I love, love, love animals. But maybe more importantly, I support them. I have a charity foundation that provides grants to animal rescues nationwide. We support huge organizations like PETA and ASPCA, as well as smaller, local groups. Anyone who wants to support animals is someone I want to support. I also started my own Animal Refuge and Rescue Ranch as well. So although shooting a film with a real bear was a lifelong dream, I would never have even tried to do it without someone of Corkey's caliber, heart, and record of service to animals."
In addition to being the first in film history of using real bears touching the actors in shots, Abandonment also features another first, this time for Richard Dreyfuss. The film marks the first time the screen legend has starred in a wilderness survival thriller. The story follows Dreyfuss as he navigates a hair-raising rescue of a hiker (Malee) trying to survive while trapped in a cave on the Appalachian Trail.
Abandonment arrives in theaters this fall.