LAIKA’s Next Movies: Travis Knight Reveals Genres Unlike Anything Done Before (Exclusive)
Wildwood sets a new scale
Wildwood represents a major undertaking for LAIKA. Director Travis Knight confirmed it uses more puppets, practical sets, locations and visual effects than any earlier production from the studio.
Even with that film nearing completion, Knight and the studio are already developing other projects. In an interview with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, he discussed both the upcoming stories and the demands of directing increasingly ambitious productions.
New genres and challenges
Knight said LAIKA has several projects in development with creative collaborators. The stories will explore genres the studio has not previously tackled and challenge the team in different ways. Knight told Lovitt, “We have stories that are unlike anything that we've ever done before that we're developing.” He also said the projects would take animation into places it has never gone before, but did not name the genres.
A wait for what comes next
Knight said experience from each production informs the next, though beginning a new story remains intimidating. LAIKA’s stop-motion process also means audiences will have to wait before seeing the developing films.
Key points
- Wildwood features more puppets, practical sets, locations and visual effects than any previous LAIKA production.
- LAIKA is developing several stories in genres it has not explored before.
- Knight said the upcoming projects will challenge the studio and push animation into new territory.
- Stop-motion production means another LAIKA film is not expected soon.