In an unprecedented collaboration, LAIKA, the celebrated stop-motion animation studio, and Empire, the world’s leading movie magazine, have launched a first-of-its-kind digital magazine cover. This innovative project brings together LAIKA’s distinctive stop-motion artistry and Empire’s cinematic storytelling to create a visual experience that is as close to cinema as a magazine cover can get.
The cover, which went live on Friday, July 26th, begins with a scene that has become iconic in the world of stop-motion animation: Coraline, the titular character from LAIKA’s beloved film, opens a door in her living room to reveal a mysterious tunnel. However, instead of leading to the familiar Other World, this tunnel transports viewers to the Impassable Wilderness, the setting of LAIKA’s upcoming feature, Wildwood. The animation concludes with the introduction of Prue, the courageous female protagonist of Wildwood, marking her debut in this eagerly anticipated film.
This digital cover represents a significant moment in the history of both LAIKA and Empire. It was created using a newly restored Coraline puppet, complete with fresh sets and costumes specifically designed for this project. Over 160 LAIKA artists and technologists across 15 departments contributed to the production, which took four months to complete. The process involved animators, costume designers, set builders, model makers, and visual effects artists, all of whom worked meticulously to bring this unique cover to life.
David Burke, LAIKA’s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: “Empire magazine clearly loves movies, as does LAIKA. 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.”
Empire’s editor, Nick de Semlyen, echoed this sentiment, praising LAIKA’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. “Nobody makes movies with more passion, creativity and attention to detail than LAIKA. 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 and are sure you will be too.”
Wildwood promises to be another landmark film for LAIKA. Based on the novel series by Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decemberists, and illustrated by Carson Ellis, Wildwood tells the story of Prue McKeel, a young girl who embarks on a perilous journey into an enchanted forest to rescue her baby brother. The narrative is rich with elements of fantasy, including talking animals, rogue bandits, and dark, powerful figures, creating a tale of love, loss, and magic.
The film features an impressive cast, including Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina, among others. Directed by BAFTA® winner Travis Knight and featuring a screenplay by Chris Butler, Wildwood is poised to continue LAIKA’s tradition of creating visually stunning, emotionally resonant films.
Creating the stop-motion cover for Empire required immense attention to detail. An archived, previously unused version of Coraline’s pyjama costume was painstakingly re-finished, with one artist dedicating an entire day to matching the pink piping colour on the set. Two original wigs for Coraline were also reworked for the cover, ensuring that every element met LAIKA’s high standards of craftsmanship.
The digital cover is available to view on Empire’s digital platforms, including Apple News+ and the magazine’s bespoke digital edition. A behind-the-scenes video documenting the making of this historic cover was released on LAIKA and Empire’s social media channels on Monday, July 29th, offering fans a glimpse into the intricate process of stop-motion animation.
As LAIKA and Empire continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, this collaboration stands as a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the magic of stop-motion animation.
