Wildwood
Directed byTravis Knight
Written byChris Butler
Based onWildwood
by Colin Meloy
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCaleb Deschanel
Music byDario Marianelli
Production
company
Release date
2025[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Wildwood is an upcoming American stop-motion animated fantasy adventure film directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, based on the novel of the same name by The Decemberists' Colin Meloy and illustrated by his wife Carson Ellis. It is produced by Laika, making their sixth stop-motion animated film. Featuring the voice talents of Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant, the plot follows Prue McKeel and Curtis Mehlberg as they attempt to save Mac by crows led by Alexandra, while drawn into a hidden magical forest.

Development began in September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, when Laika announced plans to adapt Wildwood as a stop-motion animated feature film. Having produced the trailer for the book, the full length project was not yet announced. Production was officially begun in September 2021, when Laika announced their next stop-motion film, with Knight directing and co-producing with Sutner, and Butler writing the script. Much of the voice cast were signed on in August 2022. Production of the stop-motion animation feature took place at Laika's facility studio outside Portland, Oregon, the first film set in its hometown, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.

The film is set to be released in 2025.[1]

Plot

Prue McKeel and her friend Curtis Mehlberg are drawn into a hidden, magical forest, while trying to rescue her baby brother Mac who's been kidnapped by crows led by Alexandra, an exiled Dowager Governess of South Wood who plans to sacrifice the young brother to the magical ivy of the Wood, which will allow the ivy to spread rapidly and consume the Wood and its inhabitants.

Voice cast

Production

Development

In September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, Oregon-based animation studio, Laika optioned Wildwood for a stop motion animated feature film and produced the trailer for the book.[2][3] No further development on the film was announced until in September 2021, when Laika announced their next film will be Wildwood with Travis Knight set to direct, Arianne Sutner to produce, and Chris Butler writing the screenplay for the film.[4][5][6]

Casting

In August 2022, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant were all announced as part of the ensemble voice cast of the film. Shortly after, the first-look image was revealed.[7][8]

Filming

The film began production in September 2021, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.[9] Production of the stop-motion animation feature took place at Laika's facility studio outside in Portland, Oregon, the first film set in its hometown.[10]

Music

On May 24, 2022, Dario Marianelli was announced to compose the film's musical score. He reteams with Knight on his fourth collaboration and his third collaboration with Laika, after The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Bumblebee.[11]

Release

The film is set to be released in 2025.[1][12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Barnhardt, Adam (June 10, 2023). "Laika Attempting "Single Most Difficult Thing" in Studio History With New Stop Motion Movie". Comic book. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Debruge, Peter (September 7, 2011). "Laika to adapt The Decemberists singer's 'Wildwood'". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  3. ↑ Manny (January 31, 2015). "LAIKA Studios comes to Wizard World Portland!". Screen Invasion. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  4. ↑ Desowitz, Bill (August 25, 2022). "Laika Sets Voice Cast for 'Wildwood': Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ @LAIKAStudios (September 15, 2021). "Magic. Wonder. Danger. Welcome to #Wildwood! The newest addition to the LAIKA family is now in production.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ "Laika Finds Its Next Movie in Travis Knight-Helmed Adaptation of Colin Meloy Novel 'Wildwood'". September 15, 2021.
  7. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (August 25, 2022). "Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee Among Voice Cast For Laika's Wildwood; See First-Look Image". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  8. ↑ @LAIKAStudios (August 25, 2022). "The LAIKA family just got bigger. Meet the spellbinding cast of #Wildwood" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ↑ @LAIKAStudios (September 15, 2021). "Magic. Wonder. Danger. Welcome to #Wildwood! The newest addition to the LAIKA family is now in production.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (August 25, 2022). "Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee Among Voice Cast For Laika's Wildwood". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Dario Marianelli to Score Travis Knight's Wildwood". Film Music Reporter. May 24, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ Butcher, Sophie (June 7, 2023). "Laika Is Staging An Epic Stop-Motion Battle Sequence For Upcoming Movie Wildwood: 'It's The Single Most Difficult Thing We're Tackling', Says Travis Knight – Exclusive Image". Empire. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
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