Wildwood (film)

Wildwood is an upcoming American animated dark 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. 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. Having produced the trailer for the book, the full length project was not yet announced. Production was officially confirmed 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 animated 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 scheduled to be released in 2025.

Premise
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

 * Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel
 * Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg
 * Carey Mulligan as Alexandra
 * Mahershala Ali as Brenden
 * Awkwafina
 * Angela Bassett
 * Jake Johnson
 * Charlie Day
 * Amandla Stenberg
 * Jemaine Clement
 * Tom Waits
 * Maya Erskine
 * Tantoo Cardinal
 * Richard E. Grant

Development
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. 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.

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.

Filming
The film began production in September 2021, with Caleb Deschanel serving as the cinematographer. 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.

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.

Release
The film is scheduled to be released in 2025.