In our reaction to this year’s Oscar nominations, we were delighted to find a record recognition for stop-motion films in the animated category, as Frankenweenie, The Pirates! Band of Misfits and ParaNorman all grabbed nods. Despite none of them lighting up the box office, they each showed that the field, and specifically this style of animation, can thrive with creativity. And it will continue on, as the filmmakers behind our favorite of the bunch have announced their next feature.
Once again teaming with Focus Features, LAIKA (the group behind ParaNorman and Coraline) have revealed in a press release that their next film will be the detective/steampunk/comedic story The BoxTrolls. Already securing an impressive voice cast, including Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade and Tracy Morgan, the film will also include a mix of 3D stop-motion and CG hybrid animation.
Described as “Dickens by way of Monty Python,” the story is based on the novel by Alan Snow, Here Be Monsters and will be directed by Anthony Stacchi (Open Season) and Graham Annable (who worked on the story for both of LAIKA’s previous films). The story takes place in the land of Cheesebridge and follows a group of sewer-dwelling oddballs, who are perceived as dangerous, but in fact have raised a orphan boy. We’ve been impressed by everything this studio has put out thus far, so sign us up for this third effort as well.
The BoxTrolls will hit theaters on October 17th, 2014.