"Incredible Craftsmanship Went Into the Movie" | Colin Meloy & Carson Ellis | Wildwood

Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis spoke to HeyUGuys about Wildwood at the BFI London Film Festival Premiere in London. The author and illustrator behind the Wildwood novels reflect on handing their story into "safe hands," the "incredible craftsmanship and labor" they saw on LAIKA's sets, and a premiere that is "a little bit nerve wracking," with their 13-year-old son in tow, for a film that has been "going on for longer than he's been alive." Interviews for Wildwood at the BFI London Film Festival World Premiere. The film features the voice talents of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, Richard E. Grant, Rob Delaney and Blythe Danner, it was written by Chris Butler, adapted from the novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, and directed by Travis Knight. Colin Hart and Abigail Shii ask the questions. Plot: When a murder of crows abducts her baby brother, Prue McKeel sets out to rescue him, venturing into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest just outside Portland, Oregon. Joined by her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, she encounters talking animals, bandits and powerful figures caught in a conflict that threatens the fragile balance of Wildwood. Wildwood will be released in UK cinemas on 23rd October 2026. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Seeing their story transformed 00:17 Trusting creative partners with the story 00:52 How has the transition worked? 01:08 Not yet seen the film, but visited the sets 01:28 Recreating the forest near Portland, Oregon 01:52 The voice cast 02:07 Casting voices in the imagination while writing 02:36 Growing up on animation, and seeing Wildwood 03:06 Premiere nerves 03:22 A 13-year-old son and a film years in the making #Wildwood #ColinMeloy #CarsonEllis #TravisKnight #Premiere #HeyUGuys #LFF #LFF2026 #BFILondonFilmFestival #LondonFilmFestival #LAIKA #Portland --------------------- For syndication or usage opportunities please contact syndication@heyuguys.co.uk. --------------------- More from HeyUGuys: Website ► http://HeyUGuys.com Follow us on Twitter ►   / heyuguys   Subscribe here! ► http://bit.ly/HeyUGuysYTSub Facebook ►   / heyuguys   Instagram ►   / heyuguysofficial   TikTok ►   / heyuguysofficial   ---------------------