Wildwood (film)
Wildwood is an upcoming American stop-motion animated 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. Featuring the voice talents of 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, the plot follows Prue McKeel and Curtis Mehlberg as they attempt to save Max by crows led by Alexandra, while drawn into a hidden magical forest. Development started in September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, when Laika planned to adapt Wildwood as a stop-motion animated feature film, who produced the trailer for the book, though the project was not officially announced for further development. In September 2021, the production was officially started when Laika announced their next stop-motion film with Knight directing, who also co-producing with Sutner and Butler writing the script. Much of the voice cast were announced to signed in August 2022. Production of the stop-motion animation feature took place at Laika's facility studio outside in Portland, Oregon, the first film set in its hometown, with Caleb Deschanel served as the cinematographer. The film is set to be released in 2025. Plot
Prue McKeel and her friend Curtis Mehlberg are drawn into a hidden, magical forest, while trying to rescue her baby brother Max who's been kidnapped by crows led by Alexandra, an exiled Dowager Governess of South Wood who plans to sacrifice the young brother to the magical ivy of the Wood, which will allow the ivy to spread rapidly and consume the Wood and its inhabitants. Voice cast
 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
 Richard E. Grant

Production

Development
In September 2011, weeks after the release of the novel, Oregon-based animation studio, Laika 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 will 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 served as the cinematographer. Production of the stop-motion animation 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 set to be released in 2025. References

External links
 

2020s American animated films
2020s stop-motion animated films
American animated adventure films
American animated feature films
English-language films
Films about cryptids
Films based on urban legends
Films directed by Travis Knight
Films produced by Arianne Sutner
Films produced by Travis Knight
Films scored by Dario Marianelli
Films with screenplays by Chris Butler
Laika (company) animated films
Upcoming films