LAIKA has released the first teaser trailer for "Kubo and the Two Strings," an animated film combining 3-D stop-motion graphics and CGI produced in partnership with Focus Features.
Production for "Kubo and the Two Strings" was announced in December 2014, following Oscar-nominated films like "Coraline" and "ParaNorman," as well as "The Boxtrolls," all of which were made by LAIKA and Focus Features working together. Aside from direction from LAIKA CEO and President Travis Knight, the movie will be featuring an original screenplay by Chris Butler and Marc Haimes of "ParaNorman" fame.
Set in mythical ancient Japan, "Kubo and the Two Strings" tells the tale of a scruffy but kindhearted man, who makes a humble living in a sleepy village by the sea while devotedly caring for his mother. All seems to be going well for Kubo until a spirit from the past sets out to accomplish an age-old vendetta, forcing him to be on the run.
To survive this ordeal, he must find his father's magical suit of armor, which will bring him to many places and make him come to grips with his family's history. Joining Kubo on his trip will be Beetle, Monkey and his trusty shamisen, which appears to be imbued with magic as well.
To Knight, the movie is a rare gem that brings together Japanese mythology and folktales with noble heroes, lost civilizations, monsters and even star-crossed lovers. It is epic and intimate at the same time, an uplifting fairy tale shrouded in the most exciting and bizarre imagery he's ever seen. And because it has a meaningful story that deserves to be told, to him, it's definitely a LAIKA movie.
Art Parkinson (Rickon Stark from "Game of Thrones") will be lending his voice to give life to Kubo. He will be joined by Matthew McConaughey (Beetle), Charlize Theron (Monkey), Ralph Fiennes (Moon King), Rooney Mara (evil twin sisters) and George Takei.
"Kubo and the Two Strings" is scheduled for an Aug. 19, 2016 release. It is the first of three pictures from the LAIKA and Focus Features partnership. Focus Features will be distributing the movie in the U.S., while Universal Pictures International will be releasing the movie in other countries.
Watch the teaser trailer for "Kubo and the Two Strings" below!
