Update: Selick’s film is now officially dead, as /Film and First Showing are both reporting that Laika couldn’t find the budget and have passed. See the original story below.
We got the sad news last month that Henry Selick‘s latest animation was called off by Disney, a decision which cost the company $50 million due to pre-production work already put in. Thankfully the project may already be turned around, as news has come in that Selick is in talks with a former collaborator to finance the project.
Despite lack of initial interest, Indiewire is reporting that Laika, who recently released the coming-of-age tale ParaNorman, is looking to reteam with Selick after working together on Coraline. Reports indicate, if the deal goes through, that Laika owner Travis Knight would let Selick continue work in his San Francisco Cinderbiter studio, while work would also be done in their home base of Portland, Oregon.
A few story details have also come in on the tight-lipped project, which includes a previous title of ShadeMaker, as the surrealist story follows two brothers. A section also takes place in Central Park, as that set, described as “spectacular” has already been created, but unfortunately no more specific details have inked out.
Word also has it that the Pixar braintrust, from Mike Jones to Brad Bird has provided notes for the film, as animators also beef up the technical side using the cutting-edge Rapid Prototype 3D printer, used first on this summer’s ParaNorman. All in all, it would be great to see Selick flourish over at Laika, so hopefully the deal closes soon.
Would you like to see Laika take on Selick’s next project?