Why is Tom Hanks' Disney+'s July 2021 release will undoubtedly provide answers about the fate of Scott Turner Sr., the promotional teaser offers few details about the character's death.
In the original Turner & Hooch, detective Scott Turner plans to leave Cypress Beach, California for a new job in Sacramento but stays to investigate the murder of his friend Amos Reed (John McIntire). He also looks after the victim's French Mastiff and progressively learns to appreciate the dog's presence in his life. By the end, Turner says goodbye to his canine partner but marries veterinarian Emily Carson (Mare Winningham). The Disney+ continuation stars Josh Peck as Scott Turner's son, Scott Turner, Mr., a U.S. Marshall who inherits a French Mastiff after his father's death.
The trailer for the Turner & Hooch reboot doesn't specifically explain why Scott Turner Sr. died. At the 24-second mark, Scott Jr.'s mother explains that his father wanted him to have "Hooch," a rescue dog that reminded him of his canine pal from the '80s. Later in the trailer, Scott Sr.'s death is confirmed when Peck's character reads a letter from him shortly after his sister, Laura (Lyndsy Fonseca), references their father's demise. The how and why remains unclear, but Disney+'s Turner & Hooch establishes a viscerally impactful premise by acknowledging that Hanks' character has indeed ed away.
Based on the character dialogue in Disney+'s Turner & Hooch trailer, Scott Sr. likely didn't away suddenly. Tom Hanks' character seems to have anticipated his death, evidenced by two moments that prove he was actively planning to help his son even if Peck's character doesn't seem that thrilled about having a dog. According to a February 2020 report (via Deadline), it seems that Scott Sr. may have suffered life-threatening injuries during a work-related incident, as the article reveals that the TV continuation involves Laura helping her brother investigate their father's death, which "might not have been an accident."
Given that Hooch had such a profound impact on Scott Sr.'s life in the original movie, Hanks' character probably wanted to provide his son with a posthumous gift that could similarly change his life perspective and perhaps ease the stresses of other responsibilities. In life, Scott Turner Sr.'s experiences with Hooch not only made him a calmer person but also helped him develop a romance with his future wife, Emily. The anticipated July 2021 Disney+ show picks up on this concept, as Scott Jr. pursues a relationship with Jessica Baxter (Carra Patterson) while receiving guidance from the closest women in his life, most notably his mother and sister. The true reasons for Scott Sr.'s death will seemingly anchor the narrative during Turner & Hooch season 1 on Disney+.