Inspiration from Key & Peele
The Supernatural Connection: How Comedy Duo Influenced Selick's Latest Animation
During a recent New York Comic Con appearance, acclaimed stop-motion director Henry Selick shared fascinating insights about his newest creation, a supernatural tale featuring demons and an orphaned protagonist.
Attendees at the Javits Center were treated to exclusive previews of Selick's upcoming film, which stars comedy legends Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as voice actors for the demonic characters at the center of the narrative.
The panel revealed several important aspects of the production, including the story's focus on a young orphan named Kat who accidentally conjures otherworldly beings. Selick's presentation offered both technical details about the stop-motion process and previously undisclosed plot elements that excited fans.
This project continues Selick's tradition of creating animated content that appeals to audiences across age demographics, joining other sophisticated animated films that demonstrate the medium's versatility beyond children's entertainment.
Henry Selick, renowned for his distinctive stop-motion animation style, recently shared fascinating insights into the creative genesis of his film "Wendell & Wild." In an unexpected revelation, Selick credited the comedy duo Key & Peele as significant inspirations for the project.
"I've been a fan of their work for years," Selick explained during a film festival panel. "Their unique comedic sensibilities and character work sparked something in my imagination that eventually evolved into the characters of Wendell and Wild."
The acclaimed director, known for classics like "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Coraline," elaborated on how watching Key & Peele's sketches influenced the film's tone and humor. This creative connection eventually led to Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key voicing the titular demon brothers in the animated feature.
"There's something about their chemistry and timing that I knew would translate perfectly to these characters," Selick noted. "Even in the early development stages, I couldn't imagine anyone else bringing these roles to life."
The collaboration proved fruitful beyond voice acting, as Peele also served as a co-writer and producer on the project. This partnership allowed for a unique blend of Selick's visual storytelling and the distinctive humor that made Key & Peele cultural phenomena.
"Wendell & Wild" represents an interesting evolution in Selick's filmography, maintaining his signature gothic aesthetic while incorporating new comedic elements inspired by his collaborators. The film stands as a testament to creative cross-pollination between different genres and artistic approaches in modern animation.
The iconic comedy duo sparked the central concept for Selick's animated feature
Their signature chemistry directly shaped Wendell and Wild's mischievous dynamic
Raul emerged as the vital creative force bringing these demon brothers to life
His animation prowess proved indispensable during production
Crafting the characters' distinct personalities and chaotic charm required meticulous artistry
The film's visual wit owes much to this pivotal team member's contributions
Collaboration between voice talent and animators forged the project's unique spirit
This behind-the-scenes synergy defined the movie's darkly humorous identity
Character development blended improvisational energy with precise stop-motion techniques
Key & Peele’s authentic camaraderie translated seamlessly into supernatural shenanigans
Origin of Wendell & Wild
Henry Selick shares the surprising origin story
behind his newest stop-motion protagonists
The iconic director credits Key & Peele's electric chemistry
as the catalyst for Wendell & Wild's creation
Their unique comedic rhythm directly shaped
the mischievous demon brothers' personalities
Selick reveals witnessing the comedy duo's signature energy
instantly sparked the central character concept
This creative partnership flourished into
Netflix's upcoming animated feature
Audiences can anticipate the subversive horror-comedy
arriving this October via Netflix
How Jordan Peele's Influence Shaped Henry Selick's Latest Stop-Motion Masterpiece
During a recent New York Comic Con panel, acclaimed director Henry Selick revealed the surprising origins of his latest stop-motion animation film "Wendell & Wild." The filmmaker shared how the creative genius behind the popular Comedy Central sketch series profoundly impacted his artistic vision.
Selick explained to panel moderator Tiffany Smith that he found himself captivated by the versatility and range displayed on the comedy show. By the third season, Selick felt compelled to connect with the comedic duo.
This initial outreach yielded unexpected results when one half of the comedy team expressed a deep appreciation for stop-motion animation, leading to a collaborative partnership that would transform Selick's original seven-page story written for his sons.
A pivotal moment in the film's development came when his collaborator advocated for the protagonist Kat to be a character of color. This suggestion stemmed from personal childhood experiences of feeling unrepresented in animated features.
The director noted that this recommendation fundamentally altered their approach to the film's casting, design aesthetic, and overall visual identity.
The recording sessions apparently produced comedic gold beyond what made it into the final cut. Selick humorously suggested that the outtakes alone contained enough quality material for award-winning comedy albums.
The enchanting animation in Wendell & Wild seamlessly blends the charm of a diorama with the artistry of a painting, creating a visually stunning experience.
When it comes to assembling the cast, Henry Selick compared the process to forming a musical ensemble. "It's about finding the best instruments," he explained. "You begin with the core members and then build the rest of the cast around them, ensuring that even if they were just making sounds, it would still be harmonious." With a star-studded cast including Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Ving Rhames, and Lyric Ross, the film is guaranteed to have a memorable auditory experience.
Selick emphasized the importance of iconic voices, noting, "Whose voice is so ingrained in our social fabric that even infants recognize and connect with it? That's what you get with classic voices."
While Wendell & Wild is not a musical, Selick and Peele deliberately chose a distinctive sonic aesthetic for Kat, drawing inspiration from the burgeoning Afropunk movement. "Jordan and I wanted to do something unique," Selick said. They turned to Afropunk, which harkens back to what Selick describes as "the first generation of Black and brown punk music." This led to Kat becoming a punk rocker, complete with leather jackets and powerful stereos. "It started as a visual style, but it evolved into an emotional connection between Kat and her father, who was a first-generation superfan of those bands and shared mixtapes with her," Selick added.
Interestingly, Selick has a personal connection to this genre. In 1985, he directed a music video, "Party at Ground Zero," for the ska band Fishbone. "It's quite crazy, but that's just how my life goes," he laughed.
Filmmaking and Challenges
Lyric Ross brings Kat to life in Wendell & Wild , stepping into the recording booth to deliver some of the character's most memorable lines.
When it comes to blending humor and horror, Henry Selick has a knack for walking a fine line. His films, while often aimed at younger audiences, don't shy away from more intense or frightening elements. "Coraline" is a prime example, with Selick joking about its surprisingly mild PG rating. However, Wendell & Wild pushes the boundaries even further, combining demonic themes, grief, and social issues like the criminal justice system.
To navigate these complex layers, Selick collaborated with Jordan Peele, who brought his own expertise in balancing horror and comedy. This partnership allowed them to find the right mix, ensuring that each scene hit the right notes. "Jordan was particularly helpful in knowing when we needed to make a point and when we didn't," Selick explained. Their shared vision helped create a film that resonates with both older and younger audiences, with a careful balance of scares and laughs.
The production of Wendell & Wild was no easy feat. Stop-motion animation is notoriously labor-intensive, and the team faced numerous challenges, including extreme heat in Portland, Oregon, and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. At one point, forest fires forced the crew to evacuate, but they made sure to take the puppets with them. "We figured if the studio burns, we could still make the movie if we still had our little actors," Selick recounted.
Despite the obstacles, the animators' dedication and perseverance saw the project through. "What's stop motion? The most intense, labor-intensive form to bring characters to life. We are relentless. We have infinite patience. They figure this will take us out. Uh uh. Only death," Selick said, echoing the resilience of the film's titular characters.
Wendell & Wild will be available in select theaters on October 21 and on Netflix starting October 28.
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