Nearly a week after the release of DreamWorks Animation’s “The Bad Guys” sequel, the popularity of the franchise’s protagonist Mr. Wolf appears to be going strong.
Moviegoers and social media users first began crushing on Mr. Wolf, voiced by Sam Rockwell, when the first film was theatrically released in 2022, commenting on his voice, his eyes, and of course, his fur. The first film followed Mr. Wolf and his crew – Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Ms. Tarantula, and Mr. Shark – as they pretend to turn over a new leaf.
The film’s sequel hit theaters on Friday, Aug. 1, and gives viewers a look at what life is like as Mr. Wolf actually does try to become a better person – er, wolf.
Last year, before the sequel was released, fans took to social media to admire the canine’s charisma.
One X, formerly Twitter, user tagged award-winning visual and look development artist Jonatan Catalan Navarrete on the wolf’s animation, calling Mr. Wolf “so handsome with his long white socks and whimsical patterned tie.”
“I LOVE HIM SO MUCH,” shared X user @afiendishfox, closing the tweet with crying and burning heart emojis.
Promoters for “The Bad Guys 2” seem to have caught on to the fandom as they’ve partnered with GPS navigation app Waze, owned by Google. Now, drivers can take directions from Mr. Wolf.
“In one kilometer, exit right,” he said in a clip shared on X, formerly Twitter. “Do you feel like we’re best friends now? Because I do.”
Later in the clip, he asked “You don’t mind if I sniff you, will you, pal?”
Google announced the Mr. Wolf-Waze partnership on July 23, saying that now, drivers can rest easily knowing Mr. Wolf has their backs.
“You can team up with the notorious, newly reformed Mr. Wolf for a driving experience that’s anything but bad,” Google wrote, adding that Mr. Wolf offers advice and also tells stories about his bad boy days.
Social media users say Mr. Wolf is appealing to the furry community
Some have speculated that the creators are tailoring Mr. Wolf’s look and promo to a specific community – furries.
Furries are fans, artists, writers, gamers, and role players who like and/or identify with animal characters with human characteristics, according to the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP), which studies furries and their fandom.
Some furries wear elaborate costumes or fursuits, or animal ears or tails, IARP said. More than 75% of furries are younger than 25 years old, the organization said.
“Mr. Wolf being on Waze where he flirts at you while driving really adds more evidence of how the marketing for The Bad Guys 2 is aiming towards furries, like they’re really not being subtle,” X user @codysoyeah posted on Aug. 2.
‘I get the Mr. Wolf simping’
Even some users who seemed to be iffy on Mr. Wolf can see why he’s so popular these days.
“Saw the bad guys 2 and now I get the Mr. Wolf simping,” shared X user @remixwuffy with a drooling emoji.
Through Waze, Mr. Wolf lets drivers know they can rest at ease because they’re in good hands, or paws.
“You’re in good paws,” he laughed in the clip. “I like the sound of that.”
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fans are still crushing on Mr. Wolf from ‘The Bad Guys 2’
