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{{Short description|American stop-motion animation studio}}{{Redirect|LAIKA|other uses|Laika (disambiguation)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}}

factoids

HTTPS://WWW.HOLLYWOODREPORTER.COM/NEWS/LAIKA-LAYS-STAFFERS-PANDEMIC-1307542 >TITLE=ANIMATION STUDIO LAIKA LAYS OFF STAFFERS AMID PANDEMIC THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER >FIRST=ERIK DATE=AUGUST 14, 2020, September 3, 2020, | parent = | divisions = | homepage = {{Official website}}| footnotes = | intl = }}Laika, LLC (stylized as LAIKA) is an American stop-motion animation studio specializing in feature films, commercial content for all media, music videos, and short films. The studio is best known for its stop-motion feature films Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link. It is owned by Nike co-founder Phil Knight and is located in Hillsboro, Oregon, part of the Portland metropolitan area. Knight’s son, Travis Knight, acts as Laika’s president and CEO.Laika had two divisions: Laika Entertainment for feature films and Laika/house for commercial content. The studio spun off the commercial division in July 2014 to focus exclusively on feature film production. The new independent commercial division is now called HouseSpecial.

History

In the late 1990s, Will Vinton Studios, known for its stop-motion films and commercials, sought funds for more feature-length films and brought in outside investors, which included Nike, Inc. owner Phil Knight, whose son Travis Knight worked at the studio as an animator. In 1998, Knight made his initial investment. In 2002, Phil Knight acquired the financially struggling Will Vinton Studios to pursue feature-length productions.NEWS,www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/09/laika_lays_off_63_scrubs_plans.html, Laika lays off 63, scrubs plans for computer-animated features, Rogoway, Mike, September 18, 2009, The Oregonian, September 23, 2009, The following year, Henry Selick, director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, joined the studio as a supervising director. In July 2005, Will Vinton Studios was rebranded as Laika – named after Laika, the dog sent to space by the Soviet Union in 1957.MAGAZINE, Animation Magazine,www.animationmagazine.net/features/laika-reflects-on-10-innovative-years/, LAIKA Reflects on 10 Innovative Years, Tom, McLean, December 29, 2015, It opened two divisions: Laika Entertainment for feature films and Laika/house for commercial work, such as advertisements and music videos. They also announced their first projects, the stop-motion film Coraline, and the CGI animated film Jack & Ben’s Animated Adventure.The studio laid off a significant portion of its staff in 2008, when its second planned feature, Jack & Ben’s Animated Adventure, was cancelled. The following year, the studio released its first feature film, Coraline, directed by Selick. which received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a nomination at the BAFTAs for Best Animated Feature, a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, and eight nominations at the Annie Awards, winning three, for Best Music in an Animated Feature, and Best Character Design and Production Design in a Feature Production.After directing Moongirl and Coraline but having been unsuccessful in renegotiating his contract, Selick departed Laika in 2009.WEB, Kapko, Matt, Breaking News: Henry Selick Leaves Laika,www.awn.com/news/business/breaking-news-henry-selick-leaves-laika, Animation World Network, October 6, 2009, November 12, 2009, At the end of the year, the studio laid off more staff in its computer animation department to focus exclusively on stop-motion.Their second stop-motion feature film, ParaNorman, directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, opened on August 17, 2012. It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature,WEB, Sarto, Dan, ‘ParaNorman’, ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ and ‘Frankenweenie’ lead Oscar Nominations,www.awn.com/news/paranorman-wreck-it-ralph-and-frankenweenie-lead-oscar-nominations, Animation World Network, February 23, 2014, January 10, 2013, as well as a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the BAFTAs, and eight nominations at the Annie Awards, winning two, for Character Animation and Character Design in an Animated Feature Production.After working on stop-motion commercials for clients such as Apple Inc., Fox Sports, ESPN and Coca-Cola,NEWS, Siemers, Erik, Laika spins off ad business to focus on feature films,www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/2014/05/laika-spins-off-ad-business-to-focus-on-feature.html, May 23, 2014, Portland Business Journal, May 20, 2014, Laika spun off its advertising portion in July 2014, to focus on feature film production exclusively. The new independent commercial division is now called HouseSpecial.WEB, Amidi, Amid, House Special Launches in Portland,www.cartoonbrew.com/business/house-special-launches-in-portland-102200.html, Cartoon Brew, July 30, 2014, July 28, 2014, NEWS, Milligan, Mercedes, Kelly Salmon Named HouseSpecial Northeast Rep,www.animationmagazine.net/people/kelly-salmon-named-housespecial-northeast-rep/, February 19, 2017, Animation Magazine, July 28, 2015, Their third film, The Boxtrolls, was released on September 26, 2014.WEB, The Boxtrolls,www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl325027329/, Box Office Mojo, October 17, 2022, It was based on Alan Snow’s fantasy-adventure novel, Here Be Monsters!, and was directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature,NEWS, Amidi, Amid, Laika’s Next Feature Will Be “Boxtrolls”,www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/laikas-next-feature-will-be-box-trolls-77708.html, February 7, 2013, Cartoon Brew, February 7, 2013, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, and nine nominations at the Annie Awards, winning two, for Voice Acting and Production Design in an Animated Feature Production.Their fourth film, Kubo and the Two Strings, directed by Travis Knight, was released on August 19, 2016. It received two nominations at the Academy Awards, for Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects (as only the second animated film to receive that nomination, after The Nightmare Before Christmas). It won the BAFTA for Best Animated Feature. It also received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes, and ten nominations at the Annie Awards, winning three, for Character Animation, Production Design and Editorial in a Feature Production.Laika had considered Philip Reeve’s fantasy book Goblins,MAGAZINE, L. Dickey, Josh, Laika puts Brit book ‘Goblins’ in pipeline,variety.com/2012/film/news/laika-puts-brit-book-goblins-in-pipeline-1118052800/, Variety (magazine), Variety, April 18, 2012, for a potential feature film adaptation.In March 2015, the company announced it would expand the studio in an effort to allow for production of one film per year.NEWS, Giegerich, Andy, Laika plans major Hillsboro expansion,www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/03/laika-plans-major-hillsboro-expansion.html, 13 March 2015, Portland Business Journal, March 11, 2015, Their fifth film, Missing Link, directed by Chris Butler, was released on April 12, 2019.WEB, Kit, Borys, Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis Starring in Animated Film From Laika,www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hugh-jackman-zoe-saldana-zach-galifianakis-starring-animated-film-laika-1105775, The Hollywood Reporter, April 25, 2018, April 25, 2018, It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and eight nominations at the Annie Awards.MAGAZINE,ew.com/oscars/2020/01/13/oscars-2020-best-animated-films-missing-link-klaus/, Romano, Nick, Your everything-but-Disney guide to the Oscars’ Best Animated Film nominees, Entertainment Weekly, January 13, 2020, NEWS,annieawards.org/nominees, 47th Annie Awards, August 11, 2020, December 4, 2019, Annie Awards, Press release, It also won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.WEB,www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/golden-globes-what-make-1917-rocketman-wins-irishman-jlos-losses-1267100, Feinberg, Scott, Golden Globes: What to Make of ‘1917’ and ‘Rocketman’ Wins, ‘Irishman’ and JLo’s Losses, The Hollywood Reporter, January 6, 2020, August 11, 2020, WEB,www.goldenglobes.com/film/missing-link, Missing Link, www.goldenglobes.com, On February 8, 2021, Laika signed a distribution deal with Shout! Factory for the United States, covering the studio’s first four films.WEB, Animation World Network,www.awn.com/news/shout-factory-and-laika-ink-us-distribution-deal, Shout! Factory and LAIKA Ink US Distribution Deal, March 31, 2021, On March 31, 2021, Laika announced their first live-action film based on the action thriller novel Seventeen by John Brownlow, who is said to be a fan of Laika’s previous work. It was also confirmed that the studio is currently working on their sixth stop-motion animated film, Wildwood.WEB,deadline.com/2021/03/laika-leaps-into-live-action-seventeen-john-brownlow-travis-knight-1234725157/, Laika Leaps Into Live-Action: Oscar-Nominated Animation Studio To Adapt John Brownlow’s Debut Action Thriller Novel ‘Seventeen’, Matt, Grobar, Deadline Hollywood, March 31, 2021, August 20, 2021, MAGAZINE, Debruge, Peter, Laika to adapt The Decemberists singer’s ‘Wildwood’,variety.com/2011/film/news/laika-to-adapt-the-decemberists-singer-s-wildwood-1118042387/, Variety, September 7, 2011, WEB, LAIKA Studios comes to Wizard World Portland!,screeninvasion.com/2015/01/laika-studios-comes-wizard-world-portland/, Screen Invasion, December 21, 2016, January 31, 2015, TWEET, johnbrownlow, 1377310857114365953, Tweet, TWEET, 1438155901706194950, LAIKAStudios, Magic. Wonder. Danger. Welcome to #Wildwood! The newest addition to the LAIKA family is now in production.…, September 15, 2021, TweetCiteBot, On April 27, 2022, a new Laika stop-motion film titled The Night Gardener was announced as being in the works, based on an original screenplay by Ozark creator Bill Dubuque, with Travis Knight penned to direct it.WEB, Milligan, Mercedes,www.animationmagazine.net/features/bill-dubuque-original-the-night-gardener-takes-root-at-laika/, Bill Dubuque Original ‘The Night Gardener’ Takes Root at LAIKA, April 27, 2022, October 17, 2022, On October 21, 2022, former director for the studio, Selick, openly admitted that he would consider returning to Laika; specifically to helm an adaptation of another Neil Gaiman novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Having previously pitched the adaptation to the studio after the release of Coraline, Selick stated that though Gaiman took the rights back for a time, the filmmaker asked for another chance with it, and that any future development on the film with Gaiman and Laika would depend on the success of his latest film, Wendell & Wild (2022).MAGAZINE,ew.com/movies/henry-selick-the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane-stop-motion-movie/, Henry Selick wants to revisit scrapped Ocean at the End of the Lane stop-motion movie, Entertainment Weekly, Nick, Romano, October 21, 2022, October 14, 2023, On February 7, 2023, the studio announced that former Netflix executive Matt Levin was appointed as the President, Live-Action Film & Series, and will oversee the studio’s entire live-action output, reporting directly to Travis Knight.WEB,deadline.com/2023/02/laika-appoints-matt-levin-to-new-role-of-president-live-action-film-series-1235251412/, Laika Appoints Netflix Veteran Matt Levin to New Role of President, Live-Action Film & Series, February 7, 2023,

Filmography

Feature films

Released films{|class“wikitable sortable“|+

! scope=“col“|Title! scope=“col“|Release date! scope=“col“|Director(s)! scope=“col“|Composer! scope=“col“|Distributor/co-production with! scope=“col“|BudgetWEB,www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=laika.htm, Laika Movies at the Box Office, Box Office Mojo, April 12, 2015, ! scope=“col“|Box office gross! scope=“col“|Rotten Tomatoes! scope=“col“|MetacriticWEB,www.metacritic.com/company/laika-entertainment, Laika’s Profile, Metacritic, CBS Interactive, April 12, 2015, !scope=“row“| Coraline20096}} Henry Selick Bruno Coulais Focus FeaturesPandemonium Films rowspan=“4” WEBSITE=ROTTEN TOMATOES FANDANGO MEDIA >ACCESS-DATE=FEBRUARY 8, 2021, 80 (38 reviews)CORALINE >URL=HTTPS://WWW.METACRITIC.COM/MOVIE/CORALINE METACRITIC >PUBLISHER=CBS INTERACTIVE, January 22, 2019, !scope=“row“| ParaNorman201217}} Sam FellChris Butler (filmmaker) >Jon Brion > Focus Features $107.1 million 89% (185 reviews)PARANORMAN (2012) >URL=HTTPS://WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM/M/PARANORMAN/ FANDANGO MEDIA >WORK=ROTTEN TOMATOES PUBLISHER=CBS INTERACTIVE METACRITIC >ACCESS-DATE=MARCH 5, 2018, !scope=“row“| The Boxtrolls201426}} Graham AnnableAnthony Stacchi rowspan=“2” Dario Marianelli >WEBSITE=ROTTEN TOMATOES FANDANGO MEDIA >ACCESS-DATE=MAY 23, 2022, 61 (37 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.METACRITIC.COM/MOVIE/THE-BOXTROLLS >TITLE=THE BOXTROLLS REVIEWS METACRITIC >PUBLISHER=CBS INTERACTIVE, December 28, 2014, !scope=“row“| Kubo and the Two Strings201619}} Travis Knight $77.5 million 97% (219 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM/M/KUBO_AND_THE_TWO_STRINGS_2016/>TITLE=KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (2016)ROTTEN TOMATOES>PUBLISHER=FANDANGO MEDIAWEBSITE=METACRITICCBS INTERACTIVE>ACCESS-DATE=AUGUST 26, 2016, !scope=“row“| Missing Link201912}} Chris Butler Carter Burwell Annapurna PicturesUnited Artists Releasing $102.3 million $26.6 million 89% (168 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM/M/MISSING_LINK_2019>TITLE=MISSING LINK (2019)ROTTEN TOMATOES>PUBLISHER=FANDANGO MEDIAWEBSITE=METACRITICCBS INTERACTIVE>ACCESS-DATE=APRIL 12, 2019, “>

Short films{|class“wikitable sortable“|+

! scope=“col“|Title! scope=“col“|Release date! scope=“col“|Director(s)! scope=“col“|Composer!scope=“row“| Moongirl200512}} Henry Selick They Might Be Giants

Upcoming films{| class“wikitable sortable“|+

! scope=“col“|Title! scope=“col“|Release date! scope=“col“|Director(s)! scope=“col“|Composer!scope=“row“|Wildwood2025}}HTTPS://WWW.EMPIREONLINE.COM/MOVIES/NEWS/LAIKA-STOP-MOTION-BATTLE-SEQUENCE-WILDWOOD-TRAVIS-KNIGHT-EXCLUSIVE/>TITLE=LAIKA IS STAGING AN EPIC STOP-MOTION BATTLE SEQUENCE FOR UPCOMING MOVIE WILDWOOD: ‘IT’S THE SINGLE MOST DIFFICULT THING WE’RE TACKLING’, SAYS TRAVIS KNIGHT – EXCLUSIVE IMAGELAST=BUTCHERWEBSITE=EMPIRE, rowspan=“2” | Dario Marianelli!scope=“row“|The Night GardenerWEB,collider.com/the-night-gardener-movie-laika-bill-dubuque/, Laika Teams With ‘Ozark’ Creator Bill Dubuque for ‘The Night Gardener’, Marco Vito, Oddo, April 27, 2022, Collider, |“>

Contract work{|class“wikitable sortable“|+

! scope=“col“|Title! scope=“col“|Release date! scope=“col“|Budget! scope=“col“|Gross! scope=“col“|Rotten Tomatoes! scope=“col“|Metacritic! scope=“col“|Note(s)Corpse BrideVinton Studios|Encyclopedia.com WEBSITE=ROTTEN TOMATOES FANDANGO MEDIA >ACCESS-DATE=SEPTEMBER 12, 2020, 83 (35 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.METACRITIC.COM/MOVIE/CORPSE-BRIDE >TITLE=CORPSE BRIDE REVIEWS METACRITIC >PUBLISHER=CBS INTERACTIVE Mike Johnson (animator)>Mike Johnson and Tim BurtonSlacker Cats| Television series; last episode was originally aired on January 23, 2009King of CaliforniaACCESS-DATE=SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 ROTTEN TOMATOES >PUBLISHER=FANDANGO MEDIA, 63 (22 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.METACRITIC.COM/FILM/TITLES/KINGOFCALIFORNIA >TITLE=KING OF CALIFORNIA (2007): REVIEWS WEBSITE=METACRITIC CBS INTERACTIVE, >| Animation sequencesA Very Harold & Kumar ChristmasWORK=ROTTEN TOMATOESFANDANGO MEDIA>ACCESS-DATE=OCTOBER 12, 2020, 61 (29 reviews)HTTPS://WWW.METACRITIC.COM/MOVIE/A-VERY-HAROLD-KUMAR-CHRISTMAS>TITLE=A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR CHRISTMAS REVIEWSCBS INTERACTIVE>WORK=METACRITICClay animation>claymation sequenceWILLIAMS>FIRST=ALEXURL=HTTP://WWW.DAILYTEXANONLINE.COM/LIFE-AND-ARTS/2011/11/07/QA-HAROLD-AND-KUMAR-DIRECTOR-SHARES-CHALLENGES-3D-DEBUTNEWSPAPER=THE DAILY TEXANARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20120201101457/HTTP://WWW.DAILYTEXANONLINE.COM/LIFE-AND-ARTS/2011/11/07/QA-HAROLD-AND-KUMAR-DIRECTOR-SHARES-CHALLENGES-3D-DEBUTQUOTE=WE HIRED THIS COMPANY LAIKA WHO DID “CORALINE” AND “NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS” OUT OF PORTLAND AND THEY DID IT, WHICH IS ALSO CRAZY., “>

Cancelled films{| class“wikitable”

! style="width:150pt;“| Title || Description|Jack & Ben’s Animated AdventureCoraline (film)>Coraline, and the CGI animated film Jack & Ben’s Animated Adventure.WILLIAMS>FIRST=CHRISTINATITLE=LAIKA RAMPS UP OREGON ANIMATION INDUSTRYDATE=JULY 2006ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20110724001929/HTTP://WWW.OREGONBUSINESS.COM/ARTICLES/48/1353URL-STATUS=DEAD, The studio laid off a significant portion of its staff in 2008, when its second planned feature was cancelled.ROGOWAY >FIRST=MIKE TITLE=LAIKA LAYS OFF 65, SHELVES CG FILM URL=HTTP://WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM/BUSINESS/INDEX.SSF/2008/12/LAIKA_LAYS_OFF_75_SHELVES_CG_F.HTML, September 23, 2009, Goblins>Philip Reeve>Philip Reeve’s book named Goblins into an animated feature, but nothing came up of the project since the initial announcement.HTTPS://COLLIDER.COM/GOBLINS-LAIKA-MARK-GUSTAFSON/ > TITLE=LAIKA STUDIOS TO ADAPT GOBLINS COLLIDER (WEBSITE)>COLLIDER, April 18, 2012,

See also

• List of companies based in Oregon
• Arthouse animation
• American independent cinema

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{sisterlinks|d=Q1314323|display=Laika|c=Category:Laika (company)|q=no|s=no|wikt=no|v=no|b=no|voy=no|n=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Laika (company)|state=expanded}}{{Will Vinton Productions}}{{Animation industry in the United States}}{{Authority control}}