Laika Studios Reveals New Footage, Details for Ambitious Stop-Motion Film ‘Wildwood’

Stop-motion animation studio Laika unveiled a new look at its upcoming film, Wildwood, today, showcasing concept art and intricate details of a key character, the General, a majestic eagle voiced by Angela Bassett.

Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee) and based on Colin Meloy’s 2011 novel, Wildwood follows Portland resident Prue McKeel and her classmate Curtis as they venture into a magical forest to find Prue’s missing baby brother, Mac, and seek the assistance of the General. The studio emphasized the film represents their “most ambitious cinematic journey yet,” and the new footage highlights the painstaking artistry involved in bringing the General to life.

Creating the General required models “inspired by nature” and the application of 9,000 individual feathers to two specialized puppets – one designed for flight sequences and another for detailed performance capture. Laika animators focused on achieving “unshakeable grace” in the character’s movements, pouring creativity into every detail. This level of dedication to animation is a hallmark of Laika’s work, often setting a high bar for the industry. You can explore more about the art of stop-motion animation here.

The voice cast also includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, and Amandla Stenberg. Wildwood is currently slated for release in 2026, and this sneak peek suggests a visually stunning and emotionally resonant adventure. Fans of Laika’s previous work, such as ParaNorman, will likely appreciate the studio’s continued commitment to innovative storytelling.

Laika officials stated they will continue to share updates as the film progresses toward its 2026 release date.