First Look at LAIKA’s ‘Wildwood’ Stop-Motion Footage Leaves Fans Amazed

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
Wildwood
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A brief behind-the-scenes clip from LAIKA’s upcoming ‘Wildwood’ is gaining significant attention online, and for good reason. Shared by DiscussingFilm on X, the ten-second footage showcases an animator working with a handcrafted vehicle alongside what appears to be a large bird puppet on a moody blue-lit set. This clip has amassed 671,000 views, 12,000 likes, and over a thousand reposts, highlighting the audience’s eagerness for what LAIKA has been quietly developing for years.

Directed by Travis Knight, the studio’s CEO and the visionary behind ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, ‘Wildwood’ features a screenplay by Chris Butler, known for ‘ParaNorman’. The film is adapted from the 2011 illustrated novel by Colin Meloy, the frontman of The Decemberists, and artist Carson Ellis, which LAIKA acquired for adaptation shortly after its release.

The narrative follows Prue McKeel and her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, who are drawn into a hidden magical forest near Portland after Prue’s infant brother Mac is taken by crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra. Their adventure unfolds as they navigate a forbidden forest filled with enchanted creatures, unexpected alliances, and formidable foes, with an entire hidden realm at stake.

The voice cast is led by Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue, supported by an impressive ensemble including two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, three-time nominee Carey Mulligan, Angela Bassett as the General, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.

Discussing the film’s ambitions and ethos, Travis Knight stated: ‘Wildwood’ is the biggest world LAIKA has ever built, and the most personal. Our movie is a celebration of artistry over algorithms, and of the belief that films made by hand, with enormous care, can still feel bold, surprising, dangerous, and alive.”

LAIKA has teamed up with Fathom Entertainment for domestic distribution and FilmNation Entertainment for international sales, with the film set to hit theaters across the United States on October 23. This unconventional distribution strategy reflects the studio’s commitment to independence, opting for partners that align with the specific goals of the project rather than adhering to a traditional studio release.

Every LAIKA film has received a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Academy Awards, making ‘Wildwood’ one of the most anticipated entries in the category in years, especially since the studio’s last film, ‘Missing Link’, was released back in 2019. If this behind-the-scenes clip is any indication, the wait will surely be worth it.

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