While LAIKA isn’t a production company that’s brought in wads of cash like the likes of Pixar and Illumination, their very existence is a wonderful and healthy thing in the animation industry. Their films are beautifully-crafted pieces of art, and I know they bring a lot of passion into each one. They are perhaps best known for films like Coraline and ParaNorman, but their latest movie came in the form the solid, but financially-disappointing Kubo and the Two Strings.

In the time since that film hit theaters, director Travis Knight moved over to Paramount to helm the Transformers spinoff Bumblebee, and many wondered if that box office fumble would be the one that sends them to an early grave. Well, it turns out the studio is alive and well — they’ve just moved over from Focus Features to Annapurna.

According to THR, LAIKA is partnering with Annapurna to distribute their fifth movie, Film Five, which is set to be helmed by ParaNorman‘s Chris Butler. Its plot is currently unknown, but it’s being called a globe-trotting comedy-adventure “bursting with humor, heart, and a profound message of acceptance and finding one’s place.”

“Our next film represents an evolutionary shift for Laika,” said Knight. “It’s an exciting bridge to our future. Director Chris Butler and the wizards at Laika have crafted a moving work of art, layered with wit and imagination and soul. Plus it’s really, really funny. It’s a privilege to partner with Megan and her exceptional team at Annapurna to bring this beautiful original story to the world.”

Furthermore, this film is to star Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, and Zach Galafianakis. Clearly, we are far from the end for this studio.

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SOURCE: THR