Luke Kleintank Pals Around With "Max"

Pretty Little Liars and Bones co-star Luke Kleintank has joined the cast of the family adventure "Max" says Deadline.

Inspired by true events, the plot tells of a military dog who is traumatized by his handler's death in Afghanistan and is adopted by the soldier's bereaved family. He bonds with the troubled 14-year-old brother (Josh Wiggins) and together they begin to heal and discover a secret about the soldier's death.

 Kleintank will play a returning vet who worked with Max

Parenthood and "Gilmore Girls" star Lauren Graham will play the lead boy's mother, a woman who lost her eldest son to war but now has to heal her youngest. Thomas Haden Church and Jay Hernandez also star.

Boaz Yakin wrote the script with Sheldon Lettich and is directing the picture.

Karen Rosenfelt and Ken Blancato are producing.

Filming begins later in May in North Carolina.