Chris Sanders, the celebrated director famous for his animated masterpieces, has once again paved the way for an enchanting cinematic journey by bringing the beloved book “The Wild Robot” to life. Following the immense success of “How to Train Your Dragon,” Sanders has adapted the eponymous work by Peter Brown into an animated film that has captured the hearts of audiences since its premiere on October 17.
This latest venture boasts a stellar voice cast, including powerhouse talents such as Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, and Ving Rhames. The process of assembling such a formidable cast was seamless, according to Sanders. “It was a dream team, really,” shares Sanders enthusiastically over a video call from New York City. “Our casting director Christi Soper deserves full credit. Every single actor we approached was immediately drawn to the story and quickly accepted their roles. I was thrilled to meet and work with actors I’ve long admired.” Yet, as exciting as it was, the experience was also daunting. Sanders admits, “There was pressure to ensure that I effectively communicated my vision as a director and guided them to convey their characters authentically.”
A defining aspect of the production process was the collaborative nature of the script development. Sanders adapted the script to suit each actor’s strengths and personalities, encouraging improvisation and personal input. “It’s a genuine team effort,” explains Sanders. “I want actors to bring their characters to life in a way that feels organic to them.” One actor who exemplified this approach is Pedro Pascal, who voices the mischievous fox, Fink. Pascal mentions, “This character feels more like me than any other role I’ve ever played.”
Star actress Lupita Nyong’o lends her voice to Roz, the main character—an endearing robot shipwrecked on a deserted island.
. Nyong’o has nothing but praise for Sanders, describing him as “highly imaginative, deeply talented, and wonderfully receptive to creative contributions.” She cites Sanders’s remarkable direction, noting his unique ability to inspire novel performances through insightful, rather than prescriptive, feedback.
Visually, “The Wild Robot” is distinct in its animation style. Sanders describes it as embodying the delicate beauty of a Monet painting set in a lush Miyazaki forest—a style that marks a technological milestone. Sanders reflects, “I was fascinated by the hand-crafted beauty of animations like ‘Bambi’ when I was growing up. We wanted to honor that tradition in this film but elevate it with contemporary techniques.” The animation achieves this by transcending traditional textural wrapping, which creates an entirely new aesthetic. Instead of confining themselves to wrapping textures around 3D models, the artists in “The Wild Robot” are, in Sanders’s words, “painting in space, adding depth and dimension to each frame.”
In an impressive feat, every environment within “The Wild Robot” has been hand-painted, with characters’ surfaces treated similarly. “Every character’s feathers and fur are artistically rendered with broad, vibrant brushstrokes,” comments Sanders. “This break from convention steers us away from the precise detailing typical of most animations, presenting a visually arresting and entirely new cinematic experience.”
Finally, Sanders is eager to stress how groundbreaking this animation technique has been. “What our team has achieved with this film is unprecedented,” he states with awe. “It redefines how animated stories can be presented and opens doors to innovative storytelling methods for future projects.”
The release of “The Wild Robot” marks a pivotal chapter in animation history, both technologically and artistically, as it draws inspiration from timeless artistic traditions and integrates them with modern advancements. For audience members, it promises not just a story captured on screen, but a painted tapestry that unfolds with every frame, escorting them into a vividly imagined world. Sanders’s vision, talent, and dedication have surely cemented “The Wild Robot” as a memorable cinematic experience reminiscent of revered classics yet remarkable in its groundbreaking departure from the norm.
