Netflix movie features work by Portland animators

“Wendell & Wild” premieres on Netflix Oct. 28 and stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.

PORTLAND, Oregon — A new movie featuring the work of Portland stop-motion animators is about to drop, just in time for Halloween.

“Wendell & Wild“” is a comedy-horror movie with big-name actors such as Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael Key. Peele, along with Henry Selick (“Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Coraline”) co-wrote this film. In Portland, he also set up a stop-animation studio for the Netflix original.

Malcom Lamont, co-animation supervisor, said that it was “a blast.” “I think that everyone really felt like they were doing something really special, particularly because it was a one-off film and Henry doesn’t do films very often — ‘Coraline’ was a little while ago.”

Hillsboro’s stop-animation giant Laika Studios made “Coraline”, the first feature film. Lamont and co-animation supervisor Jeff Riley used to work for Laika, which is not affiliated with “Wendell & Wild.” Both men live in Portland.

“That [Portland] Riley stated that Riley was proud of the fact that “has become such a central of stop-motion is great.”

According to filmmakers, “Wendell & Wild” took 3 1/2 years to produce, about 18 months longer than planned because of the pandemic. Netflix supported the crew despite all the difficulties.

Lamont explained that “the story itself has lots of really current social issues that I believe a lot a family films haven’t fully embraced yet.” “I believe that’s because of Jordan Peele.”

Other than the pandemic, there were other serious production threats. These included the wildfires in 2020 that threatened their Milwaukie animation studio.

Riley explained that the studio had to be evacuated and the puppets had to be rescued. We also had an active shooter incident at our parking lot. This meant that we were stuck in the building for some time, and the roof began melting during one of the heatwaves. Everyone had to leave. There was nothing that was going to stop us from making this movie.”

“Wendell & Wild” premieres on Netflix on Oct. 28. You can also catch it at the Hollywood Theater Northeast Portland starts October 21.

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