"A Lot of Bread Knives and Growling in This One" | Dario Marianelli | Wildwood World Premiere

Dario Marianelli spoke to HeyUGuys about Wildwood at the BFI London Film Festival Premiere in London. The composer, six years into the project to Travis Knight's sixteen by his own count, explains how the "slow burn" let him build music that is "embedded and under the skin of the film, as opposed to decorative," why there's "a lot of bread knives and growling in this one," and how a world of dark magic, talking animals and family bonds invited him to "make sounds that don't exist." 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 Does it take patience? 00:12 Six years on Wildwood, compared with sixteen for Travis Knight 00:28 First concept art in Portland 00:39 Writing music from 2022 00:43 A slow burn, and handcraft in the music 01:12 A process that gives you time to reflect 01:43 Connecting themes, characters and situations 02:09 Music under the skin of the film, not decorative 02:49 Bread knives and growling 02:57 A rich world to experiment in 03:13 Dark magic, talking animals, family bonds and heroes 03:32 A beautiful journey #Wildwood #DarioMarianelli #TravisKnight #Premiere #HeyUGuys #LFF #LFF2026 #BFILondonFilmFestival #LondonFilmFestival #LAIKA #FilmScore #Composer --------------------- 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   ---------------------