| Bolt | |
|---|---|
| Bolt character | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Characters_bolt.jpeg) Bolt as he appears in Disney's Bolt (2008) | |
| First appearance | Bolt (2008) |
| First game | Bolt (2008) |
| Created by | Dan Fogelman Chris Williams Byron Howard Joe Moshier |
| Voiced by | John Travolta Frank Welker (vocal effects) |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Dog |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Family |
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| Nationality | American |
Bolt is a fictional character and the titular protagonist of Walt Disney Animation Studios' 2008 film Bolt. He is depicted as a White Shepherd with superpowers such as a "super bark" and the ability to shoot lasers from his eyes. When he found himself lost, Bolt discovered that he was an actor in a television show, and must take it upon himself to get back home, learning how to be a normal dog in the process. Bolt's journey and personal evolution as a character are core to the film's main themes.
Created by Chris Williams and Byron Howard, Bolt is introduced as a dog who is unknowingly the star of his own TV show. His ignorance is crucial as the cast and crew go to extreme lengths to make Bolt think he is actually a super dog in order to make the performance more authentic.
The character is voiced by John Travolta. Much of the inspiration for Bolt was provided by John Lasseter, who also oversaw his visual development with chief character designer Joe Moshier. Aside from the film, the character also appears in the direct-to-video short film Super Rhino, the two video games Bolt and Disney Infinity, and the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom trade card role-playing game. In addition, photos of Bolt appear in Wreck-It Ralph (2012) and Big Hero 6 (2014).
Bolt's character, alongside Travolta's vocal performance, has received mostly positive critical acclaim from film critics and became a breakout character, leading to strong sales of merchandise and toys following the film's release.