Horseshoe trains 'Taco Dog,' ups exex

Pic fetes kidnapped chihuahua spokesman

By MICHAEL FLEMING

NEW YORK -- Horseshoe Bay, the Disney-based partnership between Mark Steven Johnson and Gary Foster, has set up the comedy "Taco Dog" at Village Roadshow Pictures, and has elevated two execs to replace outgoing exec Josie Rosen, who left to become a senior vice president at Fox.

Though unrelated to the yammering Chihuahua spokespooch for Taco Bell, the comedy "Taco Dog" features a similar protagonist anchoring a "Midnight Run"-style road comedy.

Business for a failing taco franchise gets spiced up dramatically when the chain retains a spokesdog who becomes an overnight media sensation. The canine's so popular it gets its own security guard, but is kidnapped anyway. While the guard tries to redeem himself by tracking down the missing dog, the taco chain owner hires a rival ruthless bounty hunter, creating a race to recover the celebrity pooch. Working against both is the pup's desire to retire from showbiz and head back to Mexico.

Scripted by Steve McFeely and Chris Markus, the film was set up with VRP's Bernie Goldman and Bruce Berman. Johnson, who last directed "Simon Birch," considers it a potential directing vehicle.

At the same time, Horseshoe Bay has promoted Erik Baiers to director of development who, with Julie Beckett, will replace Rosen.

Baiers came to Horseshoe Bay from Imagine. Beckett, a former Disney creative exec, spearheaded the sale of "Taco Dog" to VRP.

Both execs are currently involved with Horseshoe projects, including the MGM remake of the Jerry Lewis comedy "The Bellboy."

"Mark and I are extremely proud of the job they have been doing and are confident they will continue to grow here," Foster said.