While the highly-anticipated animated animal rights film Ferdinand is preparing to open in theaters nationwide on December 15, 2017, the film’s namesake has already arrived at his new home at The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA.
The compassionate move to adopt a bull calf named after the film’s title character was facilitated by a partnership between The Gentle Barn, 20th Century Fox, and plant-based beverage brand Zevia.
WWE superstar-turned-actor John Cena, who provides the voice of Ferdinand, is joined by Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez and Anthony Anderson, who are the voices of the characters in the feature film that follow the plight of a giant bull with a big heart.
After being mistaken for a dangerous beast when stung by a bee, Ferdinand is captured, torn from his home, and thrust into the ugly world of bullfighting. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team, including goats, bunnies and hedgehogs, to help him return to his family.
“Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves that you can’t judge a bull by its cover,” The Gentle Barn boasts on its website further explaining that the real-life Ferdinand has joined the sanctuary’s family of animal ambassadors who teach children kindness and compassion for all living beings.
For the first time ever, families and animal lovers everywhere will be able to follow the life of Ferdinand in real-time via ongoing social media posts from The Gentle Barn and 20th Century Fox. People can also visit Ferdinand at the Gentle Barn to meet him in person.
“The Gentle Barn is a place of healing, where children learn that even though we might look different on the outside, we’re all the same on the inside. The story of Ferdinand is so important because it represents the universal idea that each one of us deserves a chance to be who we really are,” the sanctuary continued. “For almost 20 years, The Gentle Barn has been working with animals and children who share similar stories of struggle and perseverance and for a mainstream media company to distribute a movie that inspires a positive message of love, courage and triumph, will not only raise awareness but will bring about great change.”
