Buyer Database · Production Company · Updated
Laika
Laika is expanding from boutique stop-motion studio to multi-format global storytelling operation, actively seeking books to adapt and spec scripts with emotional resonance and four-quadrant theatrical appeal.
Current mandate
Laika is in active transformation. The Oregon-based studio, long defined by its handcrafted stop-motion identity, is repositioning itself as what leadership describes as a "global storytelling powerhouse," expanding into live action, television, exhibitions, publishing, and CG shorts. The strategic priority is four-quadrant theatrical event filmmaking: story and emotional impact over animation technique, with broad cultural presence as the explicit goal. The studio is turning over "every stone" for impactful stories, actively seeking books to adapt and unique spec scripts. It leans toward original material and singular character-driven narratives, though it has not ruled out sequels and is open to existing IP.
On the production side, "Wildwood," the studio's sixth animated feature (based on Colin Meloy's book series), is in final stages of production for theatrical release. "The Night Gardener" is in development, directed by CEO Travis Knight with screenwriter Bill Dubuque attached. Several live-action projects have been greenlit with filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Lulu Wang, and Jon Spaihts attached. A CG short, "ParaNorman: The Thrifting," marks the studio's formal entry into CG alongside its stop-motion heritage. The live-action division launched in 2023, and the studio has signaled a deliberate push to increase output frequency so audiences do not have to wait years between projects.
Writers approaching Laika should lead with emotional stakes and character interiority rather than craft or genre novelty. The studio's handcrafted DNA persists across formats; projects that carry a distinctive artistic sensibility alongside mainstream accessibility are the clearest fit. Adaptation of existing literary IP is a documented pathway, as is the spec script route, provided the material is bold and deeply human. The studio's half-million-square-foot Oregon campus and its partnerships with outfits such as Passion Pictures signal infrastructure for sustained, multi-format development.
Signature peaks
- 6th in production Animated Features Produced — "Wildwood" is Laika's sixth animated feature, currently in final stages
- 500,000+ sq ft Studio Footprint — Half-million-square-foot studio campus in Oregon sustaining hundreds of local jobs
- 2023 Live-Action Division Launch — Dedicated live-action division launched with multiple projects greenlit, including attachments from Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Lulu Wang, and Jon Spaihts
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- animation, family
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Laika is reachable through literary representation with existing studio relationships. The documented book-to-screen pipeline (Colin Meloy's "Wildwood" series) makes it a viable target for rights holders with strong literary IP. The studio has also publicly invited spec scripts with bold, emotionally resonant premises. Given the live-action division's 2023 launch and multiple greenlit projects, writers working in live-action drama or genre with a distinctive voice are now a relevant fit alongside the animation-adjacent material the studio has historically attracted.
- Deal structure
- Laika acquired "Crumble" in July 2024 at undisclosed terms. The studio's deals are not publicly priced; budget and acquisition figures are not disclosed. Development attachments follow a director-driven model, with filmmakers such as Travis Knight, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Lulu Wang, and Jon Spaihts attached to specific projects. The studio operates its own production infrastructure in Oregon, suggesting in-house development rather than output-deal structures typical of streamer-backed companies.
Recent productions and projects
-
Crumble
Market context
"Unique, bold, original stories" with heart, deep humanity, and emotional resonance that expand storytelling in a risk-taking way to stand out from the mainstream.
Aligns with broader market trend of animation studios pursuing theatrical event releases and four-quadrant positioning; reflects shift from prestige/niche positioning to mainstream cultural impact
Common questions about Laika
Does Laika accept unsolicited scripts?
Laika has publicly stated it is actively looking for books to adapt and unique spec scripts, describing its search as turning over "every stone" for impactful stories. That language suggests a broader-than-typical openness to material, though the studio operates at a prestige level where representation and established relationships remain the most reliable access points. Writers with strong literary IP or a distinctive spec should pursue a formal submission pathway rather than cold outreach.
How does Laika attach to and develop projects?
Laika develops projects internally with a strong authorial sensibility, typically attaching a director early in the process. "The Night Gardener," for example, is in development with CEO Travis Knight directing and Bill Dubuque writing the screenplay. The studio has also demonstrated a book-to-screen pipeline, with "Wildwood" adapting Colin Meloy's book series. It maintains handcrafted DNA across formats and, for CG work, is exploring partnerships with studios such as Passion Pictures.
What is Laika currently producing?
"Wildwood," the studio's sixth animated feature based on Colin Meloy's book series, is in final stages of production and positioned as a theatrical event release. "The Night Gardener" is in active development with Travis Knight directing. Several live-action projects have been greenlit with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Lulu Wang, and Jon Spaihts attached. The CG short "ParaNorman: The Thrifting" has also been produced, marking the studio's formal expansion into CG alongside its stop-motion work.
Who leads creative and business decisions at Laika?
Travis Knight serves as CEO and is also an active director, currently attached to helm "The Night Gardener." The studio tracks 25 decision makers across its operation, according to recent coverage. Laika's leadership has been the primary voice articulating the studio's strategic pivot toward multi-format production and broader cultural positioning, with Knight's dual role as executive and filmmaker reflecting the studio's historically director-driven development culture.
How do writers and rights holders reach Laika?
Laika has signaled openness to both book adaptations and spec scripts, making it worth pursuing through a literary manager or agent with existing studio relationships. The studio's Oregon base and its stated ambition to increase output frequency suggest an active development pipeline with real capacity for new material. For rights holders with literary IP, the studio's documented book-to-screen track record ("Wildwood" from Colin Meloy's series) provides a concrete precedent to reference in any pitch approach.
Is Laika actively acquiring and developing new projects?
Yes. Laika acquired the project "Crumble" in July 2024, and its live-action division, launched in 2023, has already greenlit multiple projects. The studio recorded 24 total tracked records in the past 12 months. Leadership has explicitly stated a goal of increasing output so audiences do not have to wait years between projects, and the studio is simultaneously developing animated features, live-action films, CG shorts, television, exhibitions, and publishing, indicating a broad and active development slate.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
- Blink49 Studios — Blink49 Studios is a creator-led IP shop backed by a strategic Bell Media investment, actively devel
- 101 Studios — 101 Studios is actively fast-tracking a Kennedy family anthology series while sustaining a slate tha
- FilmNation — FilmNation has locked an exclusive long-term international sales deal with 101 Studios, positioning
- Banijay — Banijay is the world's largest independent production group, actively scaling scripted output, live/
Related reading
Match your script to Laika
This is a public snapshot of Laika, kept current from trade-press signals. Inside ScriptMatch, upload your script to see whether Laika fits, why, and exactly how to reach them. Start a free 7-day trial or try the free buyer-match tool.