‘A.X.L’. Stars on Having a Machine as Man’s Best Friend

What to Know

Opens August 24th
Becky G is also a singer
A.X.L. was written and directed by Oliver Daly

Imagine if your dog was also a weaponized killing machine. Would you still play catch? The stars of "A.X.L." sat down to talk with NBC4 about working on a film where a machine is man's best friend.

Alex Neustaedter and Becky G. star as Miles and Sara, two high school kids who discover a top-secret, robotic dog created by the military. Helping Miles gain confidence, A.X.L. goes to any length to protect his new companion, including facing off against the scientists who want their creation back.

The stars say they had a mechanical version of A.X.L. on set, instead of just a green screen, which gave them a stronger connection with the robotic dog. Neustaedter says he used his experience with his own puppy to form a bond with A.X.L.

Neustaedter says, "Sometimes, when I looked into his eyes, I saw my big ol' puppy that's very near and dear to my heart."

But A.X.L. isn't a puppy. In the film, he's a science experiment for the military to see if they can use him as a weapon. And much to the military's frustration, Miles and Sara have bonded with A.X.L. and don't want to give him up.

"They feel like they need to keep him and protect him from those evil hands," Neustaedter says.

The Scene

Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.