Experience the heartwarming journey of Roz in The Wild Robot, an animated adaptation of the bestselling novel

#1 New York Times bestselling novel The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is set to make its highly anticipated cinematic debut this October.

Directed by Chris Sanders, the mind behind How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods, and produced by DreamWorks Animation, this animated adaptation is bound to captivate audiences worldwide.

Described by DreamWorks Animation President Margie Cohn as “a once-in-a-generation book,” The Wild Robot tells the heartwarming tale of Roz, a robot stranded on a deserted island. The character, voiced by Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o, embarks on a profound journey of survival, self-discovery, and connection with nature. Roz’s encounters with the island’s wildlife gradually transform her from an outsider into a beloved member of this untamed world.

Audiences will be swept away by both the stunning natural landscapes and the emotional depth of Roz’s story. Margie Cohn shares, “At DreamWorks, our goal is to transport audiences into immersive places that they’ve never experienced before, whether it’s the fairytale landscapes of Shrek and Puss in Boots, the fantastical prehistoric world of The Croods or the natural beauty of Kung Fu Panda and, of course, the How to Train Your Dragon films,” Cohn says. “But our films also explore the emotional terrain of what it means to be alive: to be lonely, to be afraid, to experience the thrill of the unknown, to find the brave places inside yourself that you may not have known existed, and, above all, to find your home, and your family, in whatever form that may be. We were thrilled that Peter trusted us with his story.”

Chris Sanders, the three-time Academy Award-nominated director, discovered The Wild Robot through his daughter’s school project and was immediately drawn to the novel’s emotional resonance. “What struck me most about the book was its deceptively simple yet profound emotional depth,” Sanders says. “I connected with its innocence and its earnestness. I’m drawn to stories with strong emotional undercurrents. While I appreciate big adventure stories, it’s the quieter, more intimate moments that truly resonate. These are the elements I prioritize as a filmmaker, and I thought The Wild Robotexemplified them beautifully.”

Sanders’s expertise in crafting emotionally driven films ensures that The Wild Robot will be more than just an adventure – it will be a poignant exploration of identity and the bonds that form in the most unexpected places.

Author Peter Brown, whose lifelong passion for animation shaped his storytelling, was deeply involved in the film’s adaptation process. “When I heard that DreamWorks wanted to make a movie based on The Wild Robot, it felt like my life was coming full circle,” Brown says. “Books and movies are very different art forms, so it’s only natural for The Wild Robot movie to differ from the book, but I had numerous discussions with the filmmakers, and I knew their goal was to capture the spirit of the story that I had dreamed up years ago.”

The all-star cast includes: Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, the stranded robot, Pedro Pascal as the sly fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as the quirky opossum Pinktail. Bill Nighy as the wise goose Longneck, Kit Connor as the young gosling Brightbill, Stephanie Hsu as Vontra, another key robot character. Plus, appearances from Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Thames.

The Wild Robot is an extraordinary adventure that blends technology and nature. The story follows Roz, a ROZZUM unit 7134, who is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to her harsh surroundings. As Roz encounters the island’s animals, she forms meaningful connections, including a touching relationship with an orphaned gosling named Brightbill. Through these interactions, Roz discovers the essence of humanity in the most unexpected ways.

With its beautiful animation, talented cast, and heartwarming narrative, The Wild Robot is poised to be a film that resonates deeply with audiences of all ages.

Get ready to connect with your wild side! The Wild Robot opens in Philippine cinemas on October 9. Expect a visually stunning, emotionally rich film that both kids and adults will enjoy.

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(ROHN ROMULO)