Laika's Wildwood First Look: An Ambitious Stop-Motion Masterpiece Takes Flight

Get ready, animation fans! Laika Studios just dropped a captivating first look at their upcoming stop-motion epic, Wildwood, giving us a sneak peek at the incredible artistry and ambition behind their latest project, especially focusing on a majestic feathered character.

TL;DR: Quick Bites on Laika's Wildwood Update

• Laika released a "first look" video showcasing the intricate stop-motion craftsmanship of "The General," an eagle voiced by Angela Bassett.
• The film, directed by Travis Knight and based on Colin Meloy's novel, is described as Laika's "most ambitious cinematic journey yet," featuring a massive cast.
• Wildwood follows Portland teenager Prue McKeel on a quest to rescue her baby brother Mac from a magical, dangerous forest, slated for a 2026 release.

Alright, folks, if you're anything like us, the mention of Laika Studios probably conjures up images of breathtakingly intricate worlds, compelling characters, and a level of handcrafted magic that's truly unmatched in modern animation. From the spooky charm of Coraline to the epic scope of Kubo and the Two Strings, Laika consistently delivers films that are as technically astounding as they are emotionally resonant.

And now, after what feels like ages of quiet anticipation, the Oregon-based studio has finally given us a proper peek at their next big adventure: Wildwood. While we're still waiting on a full trailer (we know, we know!), Laika recently unveiled a mesmerizing "first look" featurette that spotlights one of the film's most visually stunning characters, and it's got us buzzing with excitement for what's to come in 2026.

Stepping Inside the Enchanted World of Wildwood: The Story So Far

So, what exactly is Wildwood all about? This highly anticipated film is an adaptation of Colin Meloy's beloved 2011 kids fantasy novel, also titled Wildwood, which was beautifully illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis. If you’re a fan of whimsical, slightly dark fantasy, you might know Meloy as the lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists, making this project a true Portland affair, as Laika is also based there.

The story kicks off in our very own Portland, Oregon, where ordinary teenager Prue McKeel’s life takes an extraordinary turn. Her baby brother, Mac, is tragically abducted by a "murder of crows" and taken deep into a mysterious, off-limits forest known as the Impassable Wilderness. Prue, along with her "hapless classmate" Curtis Mehlberg, decides she has to get him back, even if it means venturing into a magical realm filled with talking animals, roguish bandits, and powerful, often sinister, figures. The official logline promises "a tale of love, loss, sacrifice and secrets," suggesting a deep narrative beneath the stunning visuals. It's safe to say Prue is about to find herself at the center of a fairytale far grander and more dangerous than she could ever imagine.

Witnessing The General's Majestic Flight: A Masterclass in Stop-Motion Craft

While the entire world of Wildwood promises to be a visual feast, Laika's recent featurette primarily focuses on one incredible character: The General. Voiced by the incomparable Angela Bassett, The General is a "powerful golden eagle," described as a "fierce warrior and leader of the skies," and a key "mentor figure" to Prue on her perilous journey.

The behind-the-scenes footage isn't just a glimpse; it's a testament to Laika's legendary dedication to stop-motion artistry. To bring The General to life, animators undertook extensive "real-life avian studies" to perfect her movements, ensuring she had "unshakeable grace" in every frame. The technical wizardry is truly jaw-dropping: creating The General required not one, but two specialized puppets. One was designed specifically for dynamic flight sequences, capturing the expansive aerial views of Portland and the Wildwood forest. The other was meticulously crafted for "intricate performance controls," allowing for subtle expressions and emotional depth.

And here's the detail that really highlights the immense effort: an astonishing 9,000 individual feathers were hand-placed onto these puppets. Think about that for a second. Every single feather, manipulated frame-by-frame, bringing a level of naturalistic articulation that could easily be mistaken for CGI. As the narrator in the video rightly states, it's about "pouring creativity in every joint, feather, and frame." This kind of unparalleled craftsmanship is what sets Laika apart, making their films feel truly alive.

Travis Knight, Director of Wildwood and Laika CEO, shared: "Wildwood is the hardest thing we have ever done... it's incredibly ambitious."

A Galaxy of Stars Lending Their Voices to Wildwood's Characters

Beyond the stunning visuals, Wildwood boasts an incredibly impressive voice cast, brimming with talent that will undoubtedly bring these magical characters to vibrant life. It's a true ensemble, featuring both seasoned veterans and rising stars, promising a rich tapestry of performances.

Here’s who we know is lending their vocal talents:

• Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Prue McKeel (the courageous protagonist)
• Jacob Tremblay as Curtis Mehlberg (Prue's classmate and companion)
• Angela Bassett as The General (the majestic golden eagle warrior)
• Carey Mulligan
• Awkwafina
• Mahershala Ali
• Jake Johnson
• Charlie Day
• Amandla Stenberg
• Tom Waits
• Jemaine Clement
• Richard E. Grant
• Maya Erskine
• Tantoo Cardinal

Having multiple Oscar winners like Mahershala Ali and Angela Bassett, alongside beloved actors like Carey Mulligan and Awkwafina, is a huge sign of the film's quality and potential. It truly feels like Laika is pulling out all the stops for this one!

Why Wildwood Is Poised to Be Laika's Grandest Adventure Yet

Laika isn't shy about calling Wildwood "their most ambitious cinematic journey yet," and given their track record with visually complex films like Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, that's saying something! Director Travis Knight, who also serves as Laika's President & CEO, has been quoted saying it's "the hardest thing we have ever done" and "incredibly ambitious."

These aren't just empty claims. The sheer scale of the production details released is staggering: the film will feature 136 distinct locations, require 231 practical puppets, and bring to life 54 hero characters. For stop-motion, where every single movement is painstakingly crafted frame by frame, these numbers represent an astronomical amount of work and innovation.

The journey to the big screen for Wildwood has been a long one, too. Laika initially acquired the rights to Colin Meloy's novel way back in 2011, the same year the first book was published and when the studio had only released Coraline. It’s been in development for over a decade, with official production only kicking off in September 2021. This extended gestation period highlights the complexity and meticulous planning required to adapt such an expansive fantasy world into stop-motion. After their last feature, 2019's Missing Link, didn't quite hit the box office highs despite its critical acclaim, Wildwood feels like a major statement piece for the studio, pushing the boundaries of what stop-motion animation can achieve.

Looking Ahead: What We Know About Wildwood's Anticipated Release

So, when can we actually sink our teeth into this stop-motion spectacle? The good news is, we won't have to wait too long! Wildwood is confirmed for a worldwide theatrical release sometime in 2026. Unfortunately, a more specific release date or window hasn't been announced just yet, so keep your eyes peeled for those updates.

What we do know is that this "first look" featurette, titled "Where Magic Takes Flight," was strategically released recently, coinciding with the brief return of ParaNorman to theaters. This seems to be Laika's way of slowly building hype and showcasing their incredible craft without dropping a full-blown trailer right away. And honestly, for fans of animation and film technique, these behind-the-scenes peeks are often just as exciting as the trailers themselves!

All signs point to Wildwood being a truly special film, a labor of love that combines Laika's signature artistry with a compelling story and a truly stellar cast. We're counting down the days until we can dive headfirst into the magical, dangerous world just beyond Portland's city limits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laika's Wildwood

When is Wildwood expected to be released? Wildwood is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2026. A more specific date has not yet been announced. Who is directing Laika's Wildwood movie? The film is directed by Travis Knight, who is also the President & CEO of Laika Studios. He previously directed Kubo and the Two Strings and the live-action film Bumblebee. Is Wildwood based on a book, and who wrote it? Yes, Wildwood is based on the 2011 children's fantasy novel of the same name by Colin Meloy, the lead singer of The Decemberists. It was illustrated by Carson Ellis. Which acclaimed actress voices The General in Wildwood? The powerful golden eagle character, The General, is voiced by the legendary Angela Bassett.

Sources:

• Article 1: Laika’s Latest ‘Wildwood’ Footage Is a Technical Marvel (Published October 27, 2025)
• Article 2: Wildwood Teaser: Laika Shows Off Upcoming Stop-Motion Fantasy Epic In New First Look Featurette (Published October 26, 2025)
• Article 3: Get an early look at stop-motion photography on LAIKA’s ‘Wildwood’ (Published October 27, 2025)
• Article 4: Laika Studios give us an early look at its next animation project, Wildwood (Published October 27, 2025)
• Article 5: LAIKA Studios: ‘WILDWOOD’ FIRST LOOK (Published October 27, 2025)
• Article 6: LAIKA’s Wildwood voice cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play (Modified Oct 27, 2025)
• Article 7: LAIKA STUDIOS: ‘WILDWOOD’ FIRST LOOK (Published October 27, 2025)
• Article 8: LAIKA’s Wildwood voice cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play (Modified Oct 27, 2025)