Empire unveils stop-motion animation digital cover

Animation studio Laika, known for Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link, has built its global reputation on an impressive series of “firsts”, says Empire. Coraline was the first stop-motion animated film ever shot in stereoscopic 3D, continued Empire, and Laika won an Oscar for its innovation in rapid prototyping, among other achievements. Now comes another first to introduce the female protagonist of Laika’s sixth film, Wildwood, currently in production outside Portland, Oregon and expected to be released in 2025.

Laika and Empire say they have partnered on the first-of-its-kind stop-motion digital magazine cover. Like Coraline, Wildwood is set in Laika’s home state of Oregon. Empire says the digital cover begins with a film scene: Coraline opens the door in her living room and sees a spooky tunnel that leads to the Other World. But in this animation, the tunnel leads to Wildwood’s Impassable Wilderness and ends on the reveal of Prue, the intrepid female protagonist of Laika’s eagerly awaited new film. A newly restored Coraline puppet was enlisted for the shoot with new sets and costuming created specifically for the cover production.

The Wildwood digital stop-motion cover went live on Friday, July 26th at 8am PDT/ 4pm BST. Empire says digital versions will be available at online newsstands, including Apple News+, and Empire’s bespoke digital edition. A behind-the-scenes video on the making of the cover will be shared on Laika and Empire’s social channels on Monday, July 29th.

“Empire magazine clearly loves movies, as does Laika,” said Laika’s chief marketing and operations officer David Burke. “A stop-motion Empire cover seemed the perfect way to introduce fans around the world to our newest leading lady, Prue. Wildwood is a love letter to Laika’s hometown of Portland, Oregon. As Coraline is celebrating her 15th anniversary this year, it felt right for our first female film heroine to pass the baton to Prue. We approached this cover with the same dedication and creativity as we do our films, enlisting the studio’s top artists and craftspeople to make it truly special. We hope Empire fans love the result as much as we do.”

“Nobody makes movies with more passion, creativity and attention to detail than Laika,” said Empire editor Nick de Semlyen. “At Empire, we have long been enchanted by their stunning, hugely original work. It’s been an incredible privilege, as they prepare to release their latest adventure, Wildwood, to team up with them for this history-making stop-motion digital cover and the very first look at their new heroine, Prue. We are blown away by the result — as close to cinema as a magazine cover can get — and are sure you will be too. Inside our new issue, meanwhile, is not only a first look at Wildwood, but a lavish 15th anniversary celebration of Coraline with all-new interviews. In this age of computer effects, the art of stop-motion is still flourishing, and we’re thrilled to be championing Laika’s work in such high style.”