GKIDS announces theatrical release of Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3D/CG animated film; the highly anticipated movie streams on HBO Max February 5.
GKIDS will release Studio Ghibli’s new feature Earwig and The Witch on February 3, 2021 at select U.S. theatres nationwide with Fathom Events, as well as independent theater circuits. Starting February 5, the film will also be available to stream in the U.S. on HBO Max, the exclusive U.S. streaming home of the Studio Ghibli catalog. The film will open with both Japanese subtitled and English dub versions. A home entertainment release will follow in the spring.
The film, based on the children's novel “Earwig and the Witch” by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl's Moving Castle), marks Studio Ghibli's first entirely 3D/CG animated feature. Directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning from Academy Award winner Hayao Miyazaki, the anime movie was an official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival and aired on NHK in Japan December 30, 2020.
Watch the trailer:
The English language dub will feature the voices of Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), Kacey Musgraves (Golden Hour, Same Trailer Different Park), and Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX’s Legion), as well as Taylor Paige Henderson as “Earwig.” In addition to her debut voice acting role as “Earwig’s Mother,” six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves will also record the English language version of the film’s theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.”
“We are thrilled to be bringing Goro Miyazaki’s magical new film to North American audiences next month,” commented GKIDS president Dave Jesteadt. “Earwig and the Witch is the first new Studio Ghibli release in four years and is the studio’s first foray into computer animation. Working together with HBO Max, Fathom Events, and other theatrical partners will enable GKIDS to bring this wonderful film to the widest possible audience.”
“Once again Studio Ghibli has created a visual and storytelling masterpiece,” added Fathom CEO Ray Nutt. “Fathom is excited to continue our partnership with GKIDS and bring the premiere of Earwig to theaters and fans nationwide.”
Source: GKIDS
