Nearly 30 years after “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), Henry Selick returns with “Wendell & Wild,” another stop-motion animation sensation that is sure to generate praise throughout the industry. Co-written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Jordan Peele, the Netflix feature debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and may have cemented itself as the new favorite for Best Animated Feature.
Based on the unpublished book of the same name by Selick and Clay McLeod Chapman, the film tells the story of two scheming demon brothers, Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Peele), who seek the help of a Kat from 13 years. (Lyric Ross) to summon them to the Land of the Living. It also features the voice talents of Angela Bassett, James Hong and Ving Rhames.
Marking Selick’s first film since “Coraline” (2009), his only Oscar-nominated feature, Selick brings the dazzling stop-motion effects to the screen, exquisitely stitching together lavish sets and jaw-dropping effects. Finally, five years after Laika’s “Kubo and the Two Strings” successfully earned an additional Best Visual Effects nomination, “Wendell & Wild” might be able to break into this race. Coincidentally, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was the first animated film ever nominated in this category.
He also deserves recognition for his writing, with his whimsical and inclusive visions of magic and the strength of the family bond that transcends life and death. Where he will eventually be designated will be something to watch. According to the rules, relying on an unpublished work would maintain it in the original breed; however, films like “Moonlight” (2016) and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018) received last-minute changes from the original to the adapted. So we’ll see where it ultimately lands.
Peele’s involvement also raises his profile after winning the Oscar for Original Screenplay for “Get Out” (2017) and three other nominations (Best Picture and Director for “Get Out” and Film for “BlacKkKlansman”). If he manages to land nominations for an animated feature and an adapted screenplay, he will join Spike Lee as the only black creatives to be nominated in five separate categories. Lee was nominated for Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Adapted Screenplay, and Documentary Feature.
The animated feature race is waiting for a few more contenders to hit the circuit, including Netflix’s “Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro,” DreamWorks Animation’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” Walt Disney Pictures’ “Strange World,” and “GKIDS” Inu-Oh,” so we’ll see how long he can hold out his big kickoff. Of course, there are also critically acclaimed movies like Pixar’s “Turning Red” and A24’s “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” (if deemed eligible) that could have a huge impact. I wish it could be considered in Best Picture, but it remains a pipe dream for the outlet which has only had three nominees in its 94-year history.
Starring Selick and Peele, the film is produced by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Win Rosenfeld.
“Wendell & Wild” opens in theaters on October 21 before hitting the streaming platform on October 28.