Animation studio Laika has released the final trailer for its upcoming fantasy film, Wildwood. The preview showcases the film's protagonist, Prue McKeel, on a quest into a mystical and dangerous forest to rescue her kidnapped brother. The trailer features striking visuals, including woodland warriors clashing with humanoid wolves in colonial attire, hinting at the epic scale of the adventure.
Laika's Stop-Motion Legacy
Laika, renowned for its distinctive stop-motion animation style, has a history of critically acclaimed films. Following its debut with the 2009 hit Coraline, the studio produced ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), and Missing Link (2019). Wildwood is set to continue this tradition when it premieres on October 23, 2026.
The film is directed by Travis Knight, who previously helmed Kubo and the Two Strings. The screenplay was penned by Chris Butler, adapting Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis's fantasy novel of the same name. The cinematography is by Caleb Deschanel, with music composed by Dario Marianelli.
The voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel and Carey Mulligan as the antagonist Alexandra. The ensemble also features Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, and Angela Bassett. Despite being in development since 2011, production began a decade later. With a runtime of 132 minutes, Wildwood is set to become the longest stop-motion animated film ever created. The film has already garnered significant attention, with its first two trailers amassing a combined 178 million views, marking the largest trailer launch in stop-motion film history.