First Look at Wildwood: Studio Behind Stunning 21st Century Animations Unveils New Tale

With only six feature films released over seventeen years, Laika Studios’ output may seem sparse but understandable given their specialization in stop-motion animation, akin to Britain’s Aardman, though with less focus on claymation. Each production takes longer than those made with computer-generated imagery, but the wait typically pays off.

Founded by Philip Knight and Will Vinton in 2005, Laika is credited with creating some of the most beautiful animated films of the 21st century, including “Coraline” and “Kubo and the Two Strings”. Now, after a seven-year absence from the big screen, they return with “Missing Link”, which had previously earned them a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.

Scheduled for release on December 9, “Wildwood: The Prophecy of the Forest” will compete with Disney’s “Billie and the World Crossroads” and “Asterix – The Kingdom of Nubia”. The film follows Prue as she searches for her missing brother in a forest filled with mysterious creatures, where her quest escalates into an epic adventure.

As typical for Laika, the story involves the clash of two worlds and the emergence of the fantastical into the mundane. The trailer showcases their signature animation style and fluidity, providing a glimpse into their latest narrative, featuring a potential witch, animals dressed as humans, an enchanting yet mysterious forest, and plenty of heart.

Directed by the Master of the Universe

Using a tried-and-true formula, Travis Knight makes his return to animation after venturing into live-action filmmaking, notably with “Masters of the Universe” recently released on Prime Video in France. The film also explored the collision of two worlds. If “Wildwood” matches the quality of “Kubo”, his previous animated work, it is poised to be a standout in year-end top film lists.