Laika has partnered with Fathom Entertainment for the domestic distribution of its latest stop-motion animation, “Wildwood.” Filmnation Entertainment will handle international sales.
Additionally, the US release date for the film was announced as October 23rd.
Wildwood is based on the novel by Colin Meloy and directed by Travis Knight from a screenplay by Chris Butler. A young girl’s desperate quest to save her young brother becomes a high-stakes journey into a forbidden forest full of magical creatures, unexpected allies, and formidable enemies, where an entire hidden realm is at stake.
The voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantu Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.
“‘Wildwood’ is proof that Leica is on its own path,” said David Burke, Leica’s chief marketing and operations officer. He added: “With ‘Wildwood,’ we are taking a more customized approach to how we bring our films to audiences, matching partners to the specific needs and ambitions of a project. Partnering with the Denver-based team at Fathom will also bring a national perspective and operational strength to the U.S. release. “Meanwhile, working with FilmNation allows us to position the film internationally with scale, reach and deep expertise in global markets. This is a strategy built specifically for ‘Wildwood,’ while maintaining Leica’s independence.” World-class collaborators supporting the film’s ambitions. ”
The partnership with Fathom comes in the wake of recent theatrical re-releases of Laika films, including remastered versions of Coraline and ParaNorman.
“‘Wildwood’ is the largest and most personal world Leica has ever built,” said Travis Knight, Leica’s president and chief executive officer. “This is a story about the charm of the unknown, the courage it takes to step into it, and who you become in the process. Our films celebrate artistry over algorithms, and our films, made by hand with the utmost care, are still bold, surprising, dangerous and alive. We designed Wildwood to be seen in the way the movie first captured our imaginations: discovered in the dark, discovered on the big screen, in a room full of fellow dreamers experiencing joy, serenity, and wonder together. Fathom’s partnership with FilmNation means that ‘Wildwood’ emerges as a true cinematic event, with purpose and meant to be shared.”
Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, added: “‘Wildwood’ is a wonderfully ambitious stop-motion film, a groundbreaking achievement in the art of handcrafted cinema, and a deeply meaningful project for both Laika and Fathom Entertainment. It is a breathtaking creative feat that will captivate audiences when it hits the big screen this October 23.”
He added: “Fathom is thrilled to be chosen and appointed as the distributor for the U.S. theatrical release of Wildwood, building on the success of Laika’s previous theatrical re-releases such as Coraline and ParaNorman, and aligning with that of traditional Hollywood studios. Complemented by the innovation that Fathom brings to all theatrical activities. Distributing Wildwood to U.S. theaters is a further representation of Fathom.” Entertainment growth and evolution into a full-service specialty theatrical distribution company. ”
Last year, Sam Wilson, the film’s producer, said in an interview with Variety that “Travis himself has said this film is a love letter to Portland.”
