This announcement ends months of speculation regarding the project’s timeline, which initially hinted at a 2025 debut that later disappeared from promotional materials, leaving fans uncertain about its status. The confirmation underscores Laika’s dedication to bringing this ambitious fantasy epic to life, based on the novel by Colin Meloy and directed by studio President and CEO Travis Knight, known for Kubo and the Two Strings.
Wildwood adapts the first book in Meloy's acclaimed fantasy series, illustrated by Carson Ellis. The story follows Prue McKeel, a young girl whose life in Portland is disrupted when her baby brother, Mac, is abducted by crows and taken into the Impassable Wilderness — a forbidden forest. Joined by her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue ventures into this hidden world to rescue Mac from the exiled Dowager Governess, Alexandra. The film features an impressive voice cast, including Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, and Angela Bassett.
Development began in 2011 after the novel's release but was officially confirmed in September 2021. Production is underway at Laika’s facility near Portland, utilizing their signature stop-motion techniques. Knight has described Wildwood as a significant leap for the studio, promising epic scale and unprecedented battle sequences. Wildwood will hit theaters in 2026.
