Annapurna Snags Laika Animated Film with Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana and Zach Galifianakis
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LAIKA, the animation studio behind the Academy Award®-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, and Coraline, has announced its fifth film. The feature, which is currently being referred to as “Film Five,” is in production at the studio and will be released in the U.S. by Annapurna Pictures. The announcement was made today by LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight and Megan Ellison, Founder and CEO of Annapurna Pictures.
Bursting with humor, heart, and a profound message of acceptance and finding one’s place, the animation team at LAIKA is thrilled to be bringing this globetrotting comedy-adventure to life. “Film Five” is directed by Chris Butler (ParaNorman), with a voice cast led by Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman, Wolverine), Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover series).
“Our next film represents an evolutionary shift for LAIKA,” said Mr. Knight. “It’s an exciting bridge to our future. Director Chris Butler and the wizards at LAIKA have crafted a moving work of art, layered with wit and imagination and soul. Plus it’s really, really funny. It’s a privilege to partner with Megan and her exceptional team at Annapurna to bring this beautiful original story to the world.”
“We’re excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Travis and the amazing team at LAIKA,” said Ellison. “We appreciate their trust and look forward to having some fun together.”
About LAIKA
Fueled by the vision of its owner, Nike co-founder and former Chairman Philip H. Knight, and its President & CEO Travis Knight, feature film animation studio LAIKA was founded in 2005. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® for its innovation in 3D printing in 2016. Its four films, Kubo and the Two Strings (2016); The Boxtrolls (2014); ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009) were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards as Outstanding Animated Film. Kubo, which marked the directorial debut of Travis Knight, also received an Oscar® nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects and the BAFTA Award as well as three Annie Awards, the National Board of Review and 19 regional and critics’ group awards. The Boxtrolls earned Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations and 13 Annie Award nominations, more than any other film that year. ParaNorman garnered BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and GLAAD Media Award nominations, won two Annie Awards and was cited as the year’s best animated film by 14 critics’ groups. Coraline earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations, and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). For more information, visit http://www.LAIKA.com
About Annapurna Pictures
Annapurna, founded by Megan Ellison in 2011, focuses on creating sophisticated, high-quality content that is critically and commercially conscious while still appealing to a diverse audience. By upholding the company’s vision to put filmmakers and artists first and preserve their authentic creative voices no matter the genre or medium, the company has garnered a total of 38 Academy Award nominations, including four Best Picture nods for American Hustle, Her, Zero Dark Thirty, and Phantom Thread. Annapurna’s upcoming releases include, Boots Riley’s debut film, Sorry to Bother You, Jacques Audiard’s The Sisters Brothers, Barry Jenkins’ film adaptation of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk, Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Maria Semple’s, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and Adam Mckay’s Untitled Dick Cheney Project. For more information, visit http://annapurna.pictures
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
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