The innovative artists at LAIKA have revolutionized the stop motion animation industry with their critically-acclaimed hitsCoraline,ParaNormanand last year’sThe Boxtrolls. Last month, we showed you thefirst trailerfor their next project,Kubo and the Two Strings, set to hit theaters on October 19, but today we have a new full-length trailer with even more footage. If that wasn’t enough, Focus Feaatures has debuted three new character posters, featuring Kubo (Art Parkinson), Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey).
Kubo and the Two Stringsis an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced byArt ParkinsonofGame of Thrones) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Hashi (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) and Kamekichi (Academy Awardnominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta.
Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winnerCharlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winnerMatthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen - a magical musical instrument - Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nomineeRalph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nomineeRooney Mara) to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.
The film marks the directorial debut of LAIKA CEO and presidentTravis Knight, who served as lead animator onCoraline,ParaNormanand last year’sThe Boxtrolls. The filmmaker is working from a script byMarc HaimesandChris Butler(ParaNorman).Focus Featureshas set an August 19, 2016release dateforKubo and the Two Strings, putting it up against Warner Bros.‘Arms & the Dudes.
This adventure is the first in a new three-picture deal between LAIKA and Focus Features, although it isn’t known what other projects the studios are developing quite yet. Will you be heading to your local theater thissummerto see the animated action ofKubo and the Two Stringsunfold? Take a look at the new trailer, along with the three character posters, and stay tuned for more onKubo and the Two Strings.
