Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, and Richard E. Grant lead an all-star voice lineup for the multi-award-winning animation studio’s next feature, which ventures into an ‘unknown’ land filled with strange talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions.
Award-winning animation studio LAIKA has revealed the voice cast for its next feature film, Wildwood, based on the series of novels by Colin Meloy (lead singer for The Decemberists) and illustrator Carson Ellis. The film is currently in production at LAIKA studios outside Portland, Oregon. The announcement was made by the company’s president & CEO, Travis Knight.
The impressive star-studded cast includes Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman); Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight); Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Andi Mack); Jacob Tremblay (Room); Awkwafina (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings); Oscar nominee Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got to Do With It); Jake Johnson (Jurassic World); Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses); Amandla Stenberg (The Hate You Give); Emmy nominee Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords); Maya Erskine (Pen15); Tantoo Cardinal (Wind River); Grammy winner Tom Waits; and Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?).
BAFTA-winning director Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, Bumblebee) is helming the project with a script by Chris Butler (ParaNorman, Missing Link). Six-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel (The Passion of the Christ) is the cinematographer with Oscar-nominated producer Arianne Sutner (Kubo and the Two Strings), LAIKA’s head of production, producing alongside Knight.
“That is one helluva cast,” said Knight. “Collaborating with these exceptional actors has been a humbling and inspiring experience. Their committed performances elevate Wildwood and are a remarkable gift for LAIKA’s animators. I’m in awe of them all.”
About Wildwood: Beyond Portland, Oregon’s city limits lies Wildwood. You’re not supposed to go there. You’re not even supposed to know it exists. But Prue McKeel is about to enter this enchanted wonderland. A murder of crows has taken her baby brother Mac into the forest's depths, and she – along with her hapless classmate Curtis – is going to get him back. Prue might think she’s too old for fairytales, but she’s just found herself at the center of one. One filled with strange talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. Wildwood is a tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets, and of the magic you can find on your doorstep if you’re willing to look for it.
No release date was announced:
Source: LAIKA
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
