Laika, the stop-motion powerhouse behind Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings, is developing another beautifully bizarre film project, this time with screenwriter John August (Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie) joining forces with director Pete Candeland.
The movie is inspired by an original idea from Candeland and “the story revolves around “a theatre-loving high school student who is lured into a mystifying never-ending bacchanal in search of her missing mother.”
The project was announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival by Laika President and CEO Travis Knight, who directed Kubo and the Two Strings and upcoming Wildwood.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the world of stop-motion animation working with a team of incredible artisans telling stories one frame at a time,” said August.
“Truly everything about stop-motion is time-consuming and difficult, but the results have a texture and authenticity that can’t be replicated. You can feel the fingerprints of everyone who touched it.”
August’s projects span animation, live-action, and even podcasting and they include Big Fish. Charlie’s Angels, Titan A.E., Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).
Beyond the screen, he’s also known as co-host of the Scriptnotes podcast with Craig Mazin, where they dissect screenwriting craft for a dedicated following.
Candeland in known for his work on Gorillaz music videos, cinematic trailers for Rock Band, and those gorgeously evocative BBC promos.
With 2025 marking Laika’s 20th anniversary, the studio is making it clear that the future is packed with strange, stylized, and soulful storytelling.
Source: Deadline
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