Laika Unveils First Teaser for 'Wildwood'
Laika has released the first teaser trailer for "Wildwood," marking the studio's return to stop-motion animation after a six-year hiatus. The trailer, which dropped Wednesday, introduces audiences to the film's protagonist, Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, and her classmate Curtis, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, as they embark on a rescue mission into a magical forest.
The film is directed by Travis Knight, who also serves as a producer, and is adapted by Chris Butler from the book series by Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists. The story follows Prue after her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows and taken into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Along the way, she encounters warring factions, extraordinary creatures, and a world unlike anything she's ever known, as described in the film's official synopsis.
The voice cast includes 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.
A Return to Form
"Wildwood" is Laika's first stop-motion feature since 2019's "The Missing Link," which won the Golden Globe for best animated feature. The studio has a history of awards recognition, with five consecutive Oscar-nominated films dating back to 2009's "Coraline," including "ParaNorman," "The Boxtrolls," "Kubo and the Two Strings," and "The Missing Link." The new film also marks Knight's return to animation after directing the live-action "Masters of the Universe," which was released in June.
Laika describes "Wildwood" as its most ambitious undertaking to date. According to David Burke, the studio's chief marketing and operations officer, the film features 136 locations, 231 practical puppets, and 54 hero characters, each engineered and costumed like a bespoke work of art.
A Personal Connection
Knight, who grew up in Portland, brings a personal touch to the film, with the teaser including a cameo of the city's Hawthorne Bridge. The trailer is set to the song "My Tears are Becoming a Sea" by M83. In one emotional moment, Prue declares, "I promised I'd take care of him," underscoring the stakes of her journey.
"Wildwood" is slated to open in theaters on October 23, distributed by Fathom Entertainment. The studio's chief awards editor, Clayton Davis, has already included "Wildwood" in his predictions for the 2027 Academy Awards best picture category, signaling early awards buzz for the project.