Stories

Move over Deadpool and Wolverine, there’s a new superhero in the Marvel Universe - Peggy has made her big screen debut.  

With Hansel Henson’s Paul Lucas keeping a tight leash on her commercial negotiations with Marvel Studios, Peggy plays the pivotal part of Mary Puppins (a.k.a. Dogpool) in this Summer's biggest box office hit, as Deadpool’s four legged sidekick. A mixed breed pup, Peggy was crowned the UK’s Ugliest Dog in 2023, leading to a rise to fame worthy of its own Hollywood biopic.

The runt of an accidental litter, Peggy’s highly distinctive appearance meant she was overlooked as her siblings left home, until Holly and Luke Middleton fell in love with the playful pooch. Encouraged by family and friends, the Middletons entered Peggy into the UK’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Whilst Peggy was enjoying this 15 minutes of fame, Ryan Reynolds was googling, “ugly dogs” in his quest for an unusual looking canine to star in the latest Deadpool film.  A real hit on the red carpet, Peggy has been hanging out with Reynolds and Hugh Jackman to promote the film in the U.K..

Representing canine talent brings with it challenges even for a lawyer as experienced in the field of sports and entertainment as Paul Lucas.  As Paul says: “there are numerous issues that are unique to canine talent.  From a strict legal perspective, a dog is treated in law as a chattel and is not afforded the same image rights as human talent. And whilst Peggy herself did not get to choose what went in the rider to her contract, the welfare and happiness of this much loved member of the Middleton family is of paramount importance.”