Wildwood (film)
Upcoming Laika film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wildwood is an upcoming American stop motion animation epic fantasy film[2] directed by Travis Knight, and written by Chris Butler, based on Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis's 2011 novel. Produced in stop-motion animation by Laika, the film features an ensemble voice cast consisting of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg, Tom Waits, Charlie Day, Blythe Danner, Arthur Knight, Maya Erskine, Jake Johnson, Tantoo Cardinal, Rob Delaney, Jemaine Clement, Marc Evan Jackson, Len Cariou, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Angela Bassett, and Mahershala Ali.
| Wildwood | |
|---|---|
Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Travis Knight |
| Screenplay by | Chris Butler |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Sam Wilson[1] |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Caleb Deschanel |
| Music by | Dario Marianelli |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Fathom Entertainment |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Development began in September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, when Laika announced plans to adapt Wildwood as an animated feature. Production was confirmed in September 2021, with Knight directing and co-producing with Sutner, and Butler writing the script. Most of the cast was revealed in August 2022. Production of the feature took place at Laika's facility studio in Hillsboro, Oregon, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.
Wildwood is scheduled to be released in the United States by Fathom Entertainment on October 23, 2026.
Premise
Prue McKeel and her classmate Curtis Mehlberg are drawn into a hidden magical forest near Portland in an attempt to save Prue's kidnapped infant brother Mac from the crows, who are led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.
Voice cast
- Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel
- Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg
- Carey Mulligan as Alexandra
- Mahershala Ali as Brendan, the Bandit King
- Jemaine Clement
- Awkwafina
- Angela Bassett as the General, a giant golden eagle
- Jake Johnson as Mr. McKeel
- Charlie Day
- Amandla Stenberg
- Tom Waits as Richard
- Maya Erskine as Mrs. McKeel
- Tantoo Cardinal as Iphigenia
- Richard E. Grant as Owl Rex
- Rob Delaney
- Marc Evan Jackson as Lars Svik
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson
- Blythe Danner
- Len Cariou
- Arthur Knight as Mac McKeel
Production
Development
In September 2011, weeks after the release of the book Wildwood, Laika optioned the novel for a stop motion animated feature film, after producing the trailer for the book.[3][4] 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.[5]
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.[6][7] In May 2026, the rest of the cast was revealed.[8]
Filming
The film began production in September 2021, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer.[5] 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.[9] The production features 136 sets and 231 practical puppets. In addition to facial components, 3D printing was employed to create armatures, puppet musculature, and simulated liquid water, with VFX providing additional touch-ups.[1]
Music
In May 2022, Dario Marianelli was announced to compose the film's musical score. It is his third score for a Laika film, following The Boxtrolls (2014) and Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), and his third collaboration with Knight, following Kubo and Bumblebee (2018).[10]
Release
In January 2026, Laika announced that it would be partnering with Fathom Entertainment on the domestic release of Wildwood, and FilmNation Entertainment for handling international sales. The film is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on October 23, 2026.[11]
Marketing
A title reveal was shown before 15th anniversary showings of Coraline (2009),[12][13] and a three-minute behind the scenes video was shown before 13th anniversary showings of ParaNorman (2012).[14] A book detailing the making of the film was released on March 10, 2026.[15] An art installation, Wildwood: Follow the Crows, is slated to be installed in Portland, Oregon, in 2026. Similar to the 2024 installation Coraline's Curious Cat Trail, Wildwood: Follow the Crows is a collaboration between Laika, Oregon Health and Science University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Wild in Art, the Portland Metro Chamber, and Downtown Portland Clean and Safe, and is supported by the Visit Downtown Campaign.[16][17][18][19] The first official teaser trailer was released on May 13, 2026. As of May 20, 2026, it has 88 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the biggest trailer launches ever for a fully animated film.[20]
See also
- Wildwood: Follow the Crows (2026), art installation in Portland, Oregon