Laika
Nepo baby director Travis Knight (his father, Nike co-founder Phil Knight, bought out the struggling Will Vinton Studios and installed Knight Junior on the board) has two movies out this year. First up, we have Masters of the Universe, out in a couple of weeks. But a little further down the track, we’re getting Wildwood, an adaptation of the 2011 children’s novel by The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy, illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis. And boy, does it feel like a Decemberists movie…
Wildwood Teaser
What’s the plot?
As the official synopsis tells us:
After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness—an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover the strength and belief she never knew she possessed. If she hopes to save her brother and protect Wildwood’s fragile future, she will have to risk everything.
Who’s in it?
Hell of a voice cast here, it must be said.
- Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel.
- Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg.
- Carey Mulligan as Alexandra.
- Mahershala Ali.
- Jemaine Clement.
- Awkwafina.
- Angela Bassett as the General, a giant golden eagle.
- Jake Johnson as Mr. McKeel.
- Charlie Day.
- Amandla Stenberg.
- Tom Waits as Maxim.
- Maya Erskine as Mrs. McKeel.
- Tantoo Cardinal.
- Richard E. Grant.
- Rob Delaney.
- Marc Evan Jackson.
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.
- Blythe Danner.
- Len Cariou.
- Arthur Knight.
When’s it out?
No Australian release date as yet, but the US is getting it on October 23.
What’s the vibe?
For all that the plot feels like Labyrinth with extra steps, it sure looks gorgeous. I’m always up for a dark fairytale, and that’s definitely the sense we get here, but the lofty tone of the teaser makes me wonder who they’re targeting this one at. But if its former gifted children yearning for the innocence they left behind, I’d say they’re bang on
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