Laika has released its latest stop-motion feature film, Wildwood, marking the studio's largest production to date. Directed by CEO Travis Knight, the project was in development for 16 years, with rights originally acquired in 2011.
The film production involved nearly 50 animators and over 200 puppets. Technical highlights include a 12-minute battle sequence and complex scenes requiring a new, sophisticated tracking system to manage the high volume of assets across the studio.
The studio utilized a blend of traditional craft and modern technology, including new silicone engineering for costumes to replace foam latex. These advancements build upon techniques developed for previous films like Missing Link.
Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel joined the production, noting the significant complexity of the stop-motion process. The film features both large-scale action sequences and intimate, quiet character moments.
