In the Disney comedy "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," Chloe (voice of DREW BARRYMORE), a diamond-clad, bootie-wearing Beverly Hills Chihuahua, enjoys her luxurious lifestyle so much, she hardly notices Papi (voice of GEORGE LOPEZ), a Chihuahua who happens to be crazy for the pampered pooch. But when Chloe gets lost in Mexico with only a streetwise German Shepherd (voice of ANDY GARCIA) to help her find her way home, Papi heads south of the border--joining forces with a motley crew: three dogs (voices of PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, LUIS GUZMAN and EDDIE "PIOLIN" SOTELO), two humans (PIPER PERABO, MANOLO CARDONA), a sly rat (voice of CHEECH MARIN) and a nervous iguana (voice of PAUL RODRIGUEZ)--to rescue his true love.

A story about finding yourself and being true to who you are and where you come from, this live-action adventure also features actors JAMIE LEE CURTIS as Aunt Viv, JOSÉ MARÍA YAZPIK as baddie Vasquez, MAURY STERLING as Rafferty, JESÚS OCHOA as Officer Ramirez, and EUGENIO DERBEZ as the store owner. EDWARD JAMES OLMOS is the voice of the menacing Doberman El Diablo, LORETTA DEVINE is the voice of snooty Toy Poodle Delta, and MICHAEL URIE is the voice of pompous Pug Sebastian.

But the real stars of the show just may be the truly international, impeccably trained, lovable canine cast--more than 200 in total--including many mutts and a variety of breeds--Dobermans, German Shepherds, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Pugs, Chinese Cresteds, a French Bulldog, a St. Bernard, a Labrador and a Dachshund, among others. Some were found at rescues in Los Angeles and Mexico, some were seasoned Hollywood dogs.

A WAYWARD CHIHUAHUA FINDS HER WAY
Filmmakers Blend Humour, Fun and Positive Messages
The stage is set for "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" when Chloe's loving and devoted owner Vivian (CURTIS) recruits her niece Rachel (PERABO) to care for the pampered pooch during a business trip. But when the reluctant and somewhat irresponsible dog-sitter heads to Mexico on a last-minute weekend getaway with the overindulged Chihuahua in tow, chaos erupts. When Chloe goes missing, Rachel recruits Vivian's trusted landscaper Sam (CARDONA) and his devoted dog Papi to help in the search efforts.
"Chloe lives under the assumption that she must have that life because she deserves it and because that's her place," says director Raja Gosnell. "She has no concept of her roots, her heritage, where she as a Chihuahua comes from. She doesn't embrace her Mexican heritage."
In contrast, says director Raja Gosnell, Papi is well aware of his roots and has a solid self-identity. "He knows what he wants." 
"Papi is like a little masculine Chihuahua," says George Lopez, who provides the voice of Papi. "He works with the landscaper, Sam, and he digs holes and helps him out. He sees this beautiful vision Chloe and he falls in love with her.
"In the beginning when they first meet, Papi gets blown off," continues Lopez. "He tries all his Chihuahua tricks, you know, he rolls over in the dirt and he brings her a grasshopper and he jumps over her friends and, you know, he's really going at her in a macho way. When he finds out that she's in trouble, it's his quest to find his love. His romantic side comes out."
Indeed, Papi nearly steals the show with his charismatic personality and debonair approach to Chloe. "He's sort of the noble seeker in the movie--the Romeo," says Gosnell. "And he pursues Chloe all over Mexico. He never gives up."
Producer David Hoberman of Mandeville Films liked the idea. "I wanted to make the film because I thought it had really positive messages, like how we judge people before we know them, how we judge cultures before we've lived in them, and finding purpose in life.
"It's a great Disney movie because of the themes of tolerance, self-worth, and finding who you really are inside," continues Hoberman. "I think the greatest gift we can give an audience is to get everybody thinking and talking. On top of that, it's a wildly entertaining movie that makes you laugh and cry."
Producer Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films believes the story and lessons in the film are universal. "Even though on the surface it's dogs talking, it's really about what's inside--your soul. The basis of the story was really identifiable and recognizable as a human story. Then if you apply that to animals and put dogs in it, it just makes it that much more fun.
"I loved the idea of taking a really grounded, personal, emotional journey and making the lead characters talking dogs," continues Lieberman. "It's a family story with funny jokes and cute animals--the whole package."
"There's such a long tradition of talking dog films because everyone who has a dog knows it has its own personality," says writer Jeff Bushell.
Chloe's journey opens her heart to Papi. "During Chloe's time in Mexico, she symbolically sheds her dress and her booties, but she's also shedding what she thought she was," explains Lieberman. "Ultimately, she's able to accept a dog that she would have never looked at in a million years before, because he was from the pound, not a purebred, and not of her stature."
"I think audiences are going to be surprised at the scale of the movie, it's a huge adventure," says Gosnell. "It's a sweeping trek through Mexico with beautiful landscapes, amazing locations, and really special dogs, who I think will just steal everybody's heart. But, it's also got a soul and it's made with a lot of love and I think they're going to feel that."


UNLEASHING THE TALENT
Casting Voices, Humans and Virtual Creatures
With a cast that included more than 200 dogs, snakes, pigeons, coyotes, a mountain lion, a virtual pack rat and a virtual iguana--and of course talent of the human variety--the "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" filmmakers had their work cut out for them when it came to filling the roles.
"The way that we put the cast together was very interesting, because it's a pastiche of animals and humans and we actually cast them simultaneously," explains producer John Jacobs. "We'd think, 'Who is the perfect Sam?' And then we would think, 'Who is the perfect animal counterpart, and how do they go together?' Papi is just a hysterically funny, really cool street dog, and is a great counterpart to Sam. We wanted to find characters that mirrored each other. The humans had to be just as exciting as the animals, and the animals had to be as cool as the humans. So we really did it hand in hand."
A host of talented actors, including some of the biggest Hispanic names in the entertainment world, lend their voices to the canine cast. Says producer Todd Lieberman, "We knew it was important to get recognizable names for the voices of the animals."
"We have this amazing list of actors who are all movie stars and they're doing these dog voices," says director Raja Gosnell. "But it's not like we had to go and talk people into it. Everyone responded to the script and they all saw that this is not your regular talking-dog movie."
Lieberman says one priority was to attract the kind of talent that would uphold the film's largely Mexican setting. First on the list was George Lopez ("Swing Vote," TV's "George Lopez"), tapped to voice the crazy-for-Chloe mix-breed Chihuahua who relentlessly pursues his corazón south of the border. 
"Papi may be the funniest character in the whole movie," says Hoberman. "He's just an incurable romantic who is in love with Chloe and is never shy about professing his love for her, and does it in some very, very funny ways. He's the guy who would probably never get this girl, but because of his persistence, he does at the end. George is just funny and I think we've gotten the right Chihuahua to work with him."
Adds Lopez, "Papi is a little bigger than most Chihuahuas. He's a little masculine Chihuahua. When he runs, he hops. I don't think I've seen a Chihuahua hop like a bunny before.
"Papi is nothing like me," continues Lopez. "He's a romantic dog, yet he's got a little bit of street in him. I got the street, but I don't really have the romance. So, I admire the dog. His face is really expressive, so I wanted to make that face come to life. The dog had already done so much with that character that I had to up my game to give that dog what he deserved. He's working so hard in Mexico that I didn't want to let him down with the voice. I have three Chihuahuas at home and combined they're not as charming as Papi."
Director Gosnell had previously worked with actress Drew Barrymore ("Charlie's Angels," "50 First Dates") on the hit comedy "Never Been Kissed" and thought she was perfect to voice Chloe. "I pitched the script to her and she just said, 'Let's do it!'"
Screenwriter Bushell actually wrote Chloe with Drew Barrymore's voice in mind. "You don't want Chloe to come off as completely unlikable. Drew has this natural sweetness to her and this real genuine quality in her voice. She is one of the few people who can actually make our character have that edge, but still be lovable and sweet."
Barrymore, an animal lover, added something special to the character, says Jacobs. "When we saw Drew reading the character, Chloe just came to life, and everybody fell in love with the character on the spot."
"It was fun to play someone who starts off kind of snooty and righteous," says Barrymore. "She thinks she knows what life is all about and gets humbled along the way."
Andy Garcia ("La Linea," "Ocean's Eleven") was called on to provide the voice of Delgado, the street-wise German Shepherd and former police dog who lends a paw to Chloe. The dog, dignified and loyal, longs for his days on the force.
"You know, once a police dog, always a police dog," says Garcia. "Delgado has a heart, he has a noble and heroic side to him and he can't help but try to get this little Chihuahua back home."
Garcia didn't utter a line before meeting Samson, his onscreen counterpart. "I asked to meet the dog, so they brought him to my house and we played like dogs," says Garcia. "I took some pictures of him and tried to get a sense of what his temperament was and how he moved."
The filmmakers approved of the process--and the actor. "The thing about Andy that's great is his authenticity," says Hoberman. "He's gruff and tough and macho, but he's got a sense of humor."
Hoberman says the real magic set in when Garcia joined Barrymore for a recording session. "To see them both in the room and how they interacted with each other was great. It was a perfect combination."
Edward James Olmos ("Stand and Deliver," "Selena") provides the voice of the menacing Doberman El Diablo, the dog that the greedy and villainous Vasquez summons to track down Chloe and Delgado.
"This dog can't be stopped--he tracks them from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta," says Gosnell. "And he has this mysterious history with Delgado--when Delgado was the police dog and El Diablo was this dog version of the bad guy, a criminal."
And though the filmmakers won't say they found similar qualities in the actor chosen to voice the role, they tip their hats nonetheless. "Edward James Olmos is just a classic and lends a real gravity to the role," says Jacobs.
Virtual creatures Manuel the pack rat and Chico the iguana are entirely computer animated and the colorful pair serve as both friends and foils to Chloe and Delgado. Tapped to voice the roles are Cheech Marin ("Up in Smoke," "Born in East L.A.") and Paul Rodriguez ("Ali," "Bloodwork").
"Cheech and Paul play Manuel and Chico, who are the lovable, comedic villains in the piece, who are always trying to steal Chloe's diamond necklace. I think the two of them together are just funny," says Hoberman.
Providing voices to three dogs who try to help Chloe on her journey home are Plácido Domingo ("La Traviata," "Otello"), Luis Guzmán ("Humboldt Park," "Yes Man") and Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo ("Piolín por la Mañana").
Domingo lends his voice to Monte, a Chihuahua leader who opens Chloe's eyes about her culture; Guzmán voices a cantankerous Pit Bull mutt who learns the meaning of home; and Sotelo is the voice of Rafa, a nervous Mexican street dog with a heart of gold.
Loretta Devine ("Crash") and Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty") provide the voices for two of Chloe's uppity canine friends, Delta and Sebastian.
For the live-action roles, filmmakers found the perfect Rachel and Sam in vivacious actress Piper Perabo ("The Prestige," "Because I Said So") and the rapidly rising Latin-American star Manolo Cardona ("La Mujer de mi Hermano").
"Rachel's the least likely candidate to take care of this dog, she can barely manage her own life," explains Gosnell. "She can't seem to keep a job, not because she's not smart, not because she doesn't have a great heart, but because she's a little lost. Rachel lives in this Beverly Hills bubble the same way Chloe does, and she hasn't found what is important in her life and doesn't really realize that something's missing."
"Piper was our first choice for the role," says Hoberman. "She brings optimism and energy both on and off the set. She's just a real life force in the movie."
"Rachel's a little flaky, a little distracted, and maybe a little self-centered," says Perabo. "She hasn't really grown up yet and doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. She can't really take care of herself, so taking care of anything else is next to impossible."
  "Piper managed to instill that character with a soul, bringing depth to what could have been a really cardboard character," says Gosnell.
Cardona tackles the role of Sam. "Sam is the soul of the movie," says Gosnell. "He and Papi are very centered characters. They know who they are, they know what they want, and they're very content in their lives and in their work."
"Sam's the grounded person, because everybody else is crazy," laughs Cardona.
"Manolo is just an incredibly charming guy," says Gosnell. "Sam is the noble character, the teacher as opposed to the student, and Manolo has really brought a level of maturity to that character and a level of soul that is an intangible in the script. We looked at other actors and we just didn't feel that they had the depth that Manolo brings to the character."
"Manolo Cardona is also pretty sexy, I gotta tell ya," laughs Perabo. "He's a lot like Sam. He's very smart and very serious and has an intelligent, grounded quality. The integrity that Manolo brings to Sam really makes the character real."
  "When you cross the border for the first time, it can be an amazing experience," says Cardona. "Rachel feeling another world is part of the adventure. When you really start trying to accept other people, that's when you're really living life."
Tapped to play Vivian, the aunt who inadvertently sets the whole story in motion, is actress Jamie Lee Curtis ("True Lies," "A Fish Called Wanda").
"Jamie just has such an amazing energy, on camera and off camera. She really made Viv real," says Gosnell. "The character is a little bit loony--this is a person who buys her Chihuahua a diamond necklace. Jamie plays her eccentricity with so much charm."
Curtis was pleased to be a part of the project. "I loved this story and I just thought it had all the stuff that I look for in a family movie," she says. "I love dogs. And I loved Viv and her energy and her love of this dog. It's funny and poignant."
José María Yazpik ("Las Vueltas del Citrillo," "Only God Knows") was cast as the baddie Vasquez. "He has incredible range as an actor," says Gosnell. "He's got movie-star good looks. He is a leading man, so we're so lucky that he decided to play this role for us. I think he enjoyed the idea of playing a bad guy."
The character Vasquez is out to capture Chloe because he's convinced she's worth a lot of money and he'll stop at nothing to get her. "José just managed to take this character, who is not in a lot of scenes, and instill so much menace and believability," says Gosnell.
Handsome American actor Maury Sterling ("Smokin' Aces") portrays Vasquez's henchman Rafferty, who gives chase to the dogs all over Mexico.
"Maury has this comedic timing, so he brings freshness to the set and he's always smiling and trying to learn Spanish," says Yazpik. "He's just a fun guy."
Jesús Ochoa ("Padre Nuestro," "Paraiso Travel") plays Officer Ramirez, the cop who Rachel begs to help her motley crew find Chloe.
Says Gosnell, "Jesús Ochoa is a legend in Mexico. He doesn't even need to open his mouth and he has this incredible screen presence. He's been in many amazing movies, usually playing bad guys. So now he's the good-guy cop and I think he relishes playing a good guy. He gets to be funny and warm. Even though he's the overworked big-city cop, he finds a lot of heart and gets involved in the search for this little Chihuahua."
Eugenio Derbez, another giant figure from the Mexican entertainment world, plays the store keeper.
"It's a small part, but he made a real big meal out of it," says producer Todd Lieberman. "He's just huge, especially in Mexico. We're shooting at this little storefront and, literally, mobs of people are surrounding this guy, asking for autographs and yelling and screaming. It was unbelievable."

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

RAJA GOSNELL (Director) started his career as an editor, cutting such blockbuster films as "Home Alone," "Pretty Woman" and "Mrs. Doubtfire," among many others. When John Hughes suggested Gosnell helm "Home Alone 3," the talented editor successfully took on his new role as director. He has since directed "Never Been Kissed," "Big Momma's House," the hugely popular "Scooby-Doo" and "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed," and most recently, the comedy "Yours, Mine and Ours." 

ANALISA LaBIANCO (Screenplay By) is a Southern California native who attended Brown University, where she graduated magna cum laude with degrees in political science and English literature. In addition to her work at Disney, she has written in both film and television for Warner Bros., New Line, Paramount, Sony and Fox Studios.
LaBianco is known for her ability to write in many different genres, with projects ranging from romantic comedies to action adventures to thrillers. The one constant in all is the emotional connection to relevant and accessible stories and themes. She is currently writing another film based on Disney's Animal Kingdom.

JEFF BUSHELL (Screenplay By, Story By) is a Peabody Award-winning writer who has written for the "Bernie Mac Show," "Mad TV," "What I Like About You," "Zoey 101" and "Drawn Together." He also worked on the animated film "Curious George."

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