In 2011, Decemberists singer Colin Meloy’s novel Wildwood was optioned for the screen by LAIKA. No more news was heard of the adaptation for a further ten years, until it was officially announced in 2021. Ever since, we have been treated only to a handful of concept art pieces—one of a young girl cycling after a murder of crows and another of a mysterious woman leading a child through a darkened forest.
Finally, though, on 26 July, Empire unveiled their new digital cover: an exclusive sneak-peek of the upcoming adventure flick. The animated cover shows Coraline, from LAIKA’s first animated film, opening a door into the world of Wildwood, where we see its protagonist Prue McKeel standing.
A stop-motion fantasy adventure film, Wildwood follows Prue as she ventures into the forest with her friend Curtis following the kidnapping of her younger brother by a flock of crows. Much of what we know about the film so far comes either from occasional interviews or the Colin Meloy novel on which the film is based. Published in 2011, the Decemberists singer’s fantasy novel showcases magic, parallel worlds and Portland culture.
We know the film shares this Oregon settling—Portland is additionally the home of LAIKA Animation Studios. There is also a confirmed voice cast, including Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack, Prom Pact), Jacob Tremblay (Luca, Wonder), Carey Mulligan (Maestro, Promising Young Woman) and Mahershala Al (Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, Green Book). The release date is expected to be at some point in 2025, although nothing has been set in stone yet.
In an Empire interview, director Travis Knight—previously behind the wheel of LAIKA offering Kubo and the Two Strings as well as producer of several more LAIKA films—called Wildwood “incredibly ambitious” and LAIKA’s hardest project yet, containing battle scenes that have taken years to imagine and capture in stop-motion. Particularly difficult to animate was the eagle who serves as a mentor to Prue, he noted. Wildwood is clearly a great labour of love, then. The digital Empire cover alone took 160 people 120 days to make.
Another question that might be invited by this mode of announcement is: what’s with the increase in digital covers? They seem to be gradually appearing more frequently, particularly in Empire, with summer blockbuster Twisters one of the latest to receive the treatment. These are something of a departure from print magazine covers featuring a static image, and there may be some movie fans wondering why there is a need for them. Think, though, of the gradual move from traditional billboards featuring one advert or poster to digital ones which can cycle through multiple video adverts or trailers. The increased prevalence of these indicates that they may be a better way of grabbing attention, particularly for adventure and disaster films like Wildwood or Twisters. Digital covers, taking this dynamic advertising approach a step further, may be a more engaging way of showcasing an exciting or action-packed feature.
The digital cover feels particularly appropriate for Wildwood given the long wait for the film. In the decade since it was first optioned, anticipation has grown alongside concerns that it would remain in production purgatory for eternity. The cover is very tangible evidence that the film does exist and will be released—it will, in fact, have short previews shown at fifteenth anniversary screenings of LAIKA’s first film, Coraline. These screenings begin in UK cinemas from 15 August onwards, with the groundbreaking film being remastered and available in 3D.
There will also be some previews and information about Wildwood at LAIKA’s new BFI exhibition, Frame By Frame, running from 12 August to 1 October. This exhibition features reproductions of LAIKA film scenes, providing an immersive look at the behind-the-scenes workings at the studio. Sets, costumes and props from the films will be displayed, as well as paint tests and glimpses into their early development. Throughout August, London’s BFI will be showing LAIKA’s previous films, as well as running Q&As with key figures such as Coraline director Henry Selick and Kubo and the Two Strings director Travis Knight.
Whenever Wildwood hits our screens in 2025, it seems that it promises to be just as packed with magic and adventure as LAIKA’s previous flicks. The studio never fails when it comes to imagination, and it’s clear that unimaginable amounts of work have gone into ensuring the animation lives up to the concept.
Words by Casey Langton.
Support the Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.