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Wildwood (film)

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Wildwood
Teaser poster through Empire cover
Directed byTravis Knight
Screenplay byChris Butler
Based on
Wildwood
by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCaleb Deschanel
Music byDario Marianelli
Production
company
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Wildwood is an upcoming American stop-motion animated dark fantasy adventure horror film directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, based on the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis. It is produced by Laika, making their sixth stop-motion animated film. It stars an ensemble cast featuring the voice talents of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, 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 Prue's infant brother Mac from the 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. Despite having produced the trailer for the book, the full-length project was not yet officially announced due to its ambitious nature. Production was officially confirmed in September 2021, 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 feature took place at Laika's facility studio outside Portland, Oregon, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.

The film is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Premise

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Prue McKeel and her best friend Curtis are drawn into a hidden, magical forest, after Prue's baby brother Mac is kidnapped by crows, led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.

Voice cast

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Additionally, Amandla Stenberg has been cast in an undisclosed role.

Production

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In September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, Oregon-based animation studio, Laika, LLC optioned Wildwood for a stop motion animated feature film and produced the trailer for the book.[1][2] No further development on the film was announced until in September 2021, when Laika announced their next film would be Wildwood with Travis Knight set to direct, Arianne Sutner to produce, and Chris Butler writing the screenplay for the film.[3][4][5]

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.[6][7] 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.[8]

Filming

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The film began production in September 2021, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.[9] Production of the stop-motion animated feature took place at Laika's facility studio outside in Portland, Oregon, the first film set in its hometown.[6] In 2024, Knight revealed the project was the most ambitious film that Laika had ever made: "We've had to build up the creative tools, the technology and our storytelling muscles to do this book justice." Examples of unique challenges included staging epic battles, aerial sequences, and crafting the eagle character.[10]

Release

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The film is scheduled to be released at an undetermined date in 2025. Focus Features dropped out of the distribution rights the film is currently being shopped to studios and streamers. [11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Debruge, Peter (September 7, 2011). "Laika to adapt The Decemberists singer's 'Wildwood'". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. ^ Manny (January 31, 2015). "LAIKA Studios comes to Wizard World Portland!". Screen Invasion. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  3. ^ Desowitz, Bill (August 25, 2022). "Laika Sets Voice Cast for 'Wildwood': Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  4. ^ @LAIKAStudios (September 15, 2021). "Magic. Wonder. Danger. Welcome to #Wildwood! The newest addition to the LAIKA family is now in production.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (September 15, 2021). "Laika Finds Its Next Movie in Travis Knight-Helmed Adaptation of Colin Meloy Novel 'Wildwood'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  6. ^ a b 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.
  7. ^ @LAIKAStudios (August 25, 2022). "The LAIKA family just got bigger. Meet the spellbinding cast of #Wildwood" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "Dario Marianelli to Score Travis Knight's Wildwood". Film Music Reporter. May 24, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  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. ^ "Wildwood Is The 'Hardest' Film Laika Studios Has Ever Made: 'It's Incredibly Ambitious'". Empire. July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  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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