With Wildwood now in theaters, LAIKA Studios is already looking ahead to a slate of projects that promise to break new ground for the acclaimed animation house. Director Travis Knight recently opened up about the studio's future, revealing plans to explore genres they've never touched before—and taking on one of literature's most daunting adaptations.
In an exclusive chat with Collider, Knight discussed the scale of Wildwood, which he confirmed features more puppets, practical sets, locations, and visual effects than any previous LAIKA production. But even as that massive undertaking hits screens, the studio is already deep in development on multiple new stories. "We got a lot of wonderful projects that we're developing with some great creative people," Knight said. "I'm very excited about the stories that we have yet to come."
While fans might hope for a quick follow-up, Knight was candid about the realities of stop-motion filmmaking. "It does take us a while at LAIKA to make these movies," he admitted. "So there's not one right around the corner." Still, he promised that the wait will be worth it: "We have stories that are unlike anything that we've ever done before that we're developing. We have stories that take the medium of animation into places that it's never gone before, stories that challenge us in different ways. And I'm excited that we're playing around in some genres that we've never explored before."
Knight didn't specify which genres those might be, but he did offer updates on two previously announced projects. One is The Night Gardener, a neo-noir thriller written by Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque. Knight described it as "a beautiful kind of neo-noir thriller" and "a story unlike anything we've ever seen in animation."
The other is Piranesi, an adaptation of Susanna Clarke's acclaimed novel—a book that has often been called "unfilmable." Knight, a self-proclaimed fan of Clarke, seems undeterred by the challenge. "One of the interesting things is it's been called an unfilmable book," he said, adding with a grin, "And I will take that challenge."
For fans of LAIKA's signature craftsmanship, the news is a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come. The studio has built its reputation on meticulous stop-motion animation and emotionally resonant storytelling, and Knight's comments suggest they're ready to push those boundaries even further. Whether it's the noir-tinged mystery of The Night Gardener or the labyrinthine world of Piranesi, the next chapter for LAIKA promises to be anything but predictable.
While we wait for these projects to materialize, there's plenty to explore in the meantime. If you're in the mood for more animated adventures, check out our list of fantasy films that squandered their worlds. Or, if you're craving something with a bit more edge, our roundup of the best R-rated action movies of the century might hit the spot.
Wildwood is currently playing in theaters. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on LAIKA's future projects.
