Meet Kubo. Art Parkinson’s humble warrior who is destined for greatness – and he doesn’t even know it yet. Adorning the latest and indeed final poster for Laika and Focus Features’ animation Kubo and the Two Strings, the titular character eyes a grand adventure alongside his two loyal companions.
Those allies in question are Charlize Theron’s Monkey and a charismatic Beetle, played here by Matthew McConaughey. As if Theron and McConaughey’s presence on the casting sheet wasn’t enough – two Oscar winners, no less – Travis Knight’s hearty feature also boasts the likes of Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, Art Parkinson, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Brenda Vaccaro
What has us all the more excited for Kubo and the Two Strings is the fact that Knight, having served as an award-winning animator and head of Laika, is poised to make his directorial debut in a few months’ time. Can it stand up to the studio’s previous efforts – i.e. Coraline and ParaNorman – though? Time will tell.
A great journey is afoot, and Kubo and the Two Strings will introduce moviegoers to a mystical version of ancient Japan come August 19.
An epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of “Game of Thrones”) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Akihiro (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), and Kameyo (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta.
Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.