On September 4th, Universal Pictures presented a special preview screening of the brand new film "Wild Robot" in Beijing Universal Resort, produced by DreamWorks Animation. After the screening of the Chinese dubbed version of the film, director and writer Chris Sanders, along with voice actor Chen Haoyu, shared their insights from the creative process with the audience. The film is set to release in mainland China on September 20, a full week earlier than its North American debut.
Director and writer Chris Sanders in conversation with voice actor Chen Haoyu
"Wild Robot" tells the story of a robot named Roz, designed to serve humanity, who accidentally washes up on a deserted island inhabited only by animals. As she learns to survive and adapt to the wilderness, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Initially, "following commands" was Roz's purpose, but upon reaching the steep island, she finds there are no owners or directives, and the various animals do not accept her assistance. It is only when she encounters a gosling named Brightbill, who clings to her from the moment of his birth, that things begin to change. Heeding the advice of Fox Fink, Roz devises a series of instructions to help Brightbill through his childhood. However, in this wilderness where one is either a hunter or prey, merely learning to forage, swim, and fly isn't enough; Brightbill must learn to socialize and integrate with the flock before migration season arrives...
Movie Poster
The film is based on the children's picture book of the same name by Peter Brown, published in 2016. The book became a sensation, topping The New York Times bestseller list and later spawning a trilogy (with two sequels: "The Wild Robot Escapes" and "The Wild Robot Returns"). As a celebrated American children's author and illustrator, Peter Brown grew up in New Jersey, exploring the forests, fields, and streams of his childhood. He has been a five-time New York Times bestselling author and has received numerous accolades, including the Caldecott Honor, the Golden Kite Award, and the Amazon Book of the Year Award among others.
Previously, reports from foreign media indicated that "Wild Robot" would be the last film produced in-house by DreamWorks Animation. After 2024, the studio will lean more towards external studios for productions. This creation is also a showcase of top-tier talent, with Chris Sanders, a three-time Oscar nominee, writing and directing. He also directed DreamWorks' "How to Train Your Dragon" and "The Croods," as well as writing and directing Disney's "Lilo & Stitch." The producer is Jeff Hermann, who previously worked on "Boss Baby 2" and served as a co-producer for the "Kung Fu Panda" series.
During the event, when asked by the host why this story was chosen for the big screen, Chris Sanders remarked, "In our lives, we'll always have many firsts. For me, this is my first time depicting a robot in my work, and in a twist of fate, this robot, Roz, becomes a sort of 'mother.' That’s a wonderful 'accident'."
Director and writer Chris Sanders
Sanders explained that DreamWorks used several pioneering techniques while producing this film. "For example, we incorporated a lot of hand-drawn backgrounds mixed with CG effects. We drew inspiration from 'Bambi' and the works of director Hayao Miyazaki; every butterfly, every leaf, and every tuft of grass has been hand-drawn to add depth, hoping to resonate with the audience's hearts through this story."
The original voice of the robot Roz is by Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o, known for portraying warrior Nakia in Marvel's "Black Panther." Voice actor and singer Chen Haoyu, who lends her voice to Roz in the Chinese version, shared her feelings about voicing an animated character for the first time: "This story is special, and Roz is special too. She transitions from a machine bound by engineering design and rational programming into a being filled with compassion and empathy. Particularly in her nurturing of Brightbill, the maternal warmth she expresses deeply moved me."
Actress Chen Haoyu
In terms of storytelling, "Wild Robot" brings a fresh perspective to the gender portrayal of robots, contrasting with the traditionally male protagonists in most robot films. A female robot breaking free from her programming serves as a compelling metaphor for women's evolution from acceptance of fate to defiance. Chen Haoyu expressed her own commitment to seeking breakthroughs in her acting career: "Roz modifies her programming to adapt to her new environment, with her motivations stemming from the emotions she shares with the other animals. If we break through, allowing our motivations to come from a place of inner love, such breakthroughs become more meaningful. When I initially took on the role of Roz, the director gave me a key word: kindness. Just like the line in the film, 'Kindness is the ultimate survival skill.'”
"Wild Robot" Still
Discussing how Roz transforms from a cold robot into a guardian of nature, Chris Sanders shared that Roz's design did not include a mouth, "so her emotional expressions mainly come through subtle facial movements, which elicits various responses from the audience. On this basis, Haoyu put in a lot of effort as she had to convey natural and genuine expressions without matching her voice to a mouth—rather, she had to understand the character deeply."
"Wild Robot" Still
Sanders also mentioned that he drew inspiration for this film from his life experiences. "For example, when creating the character of Fox Fink, I envisioned him as a clever trickster. He's very smart and cunning, initially even considering using Brightbill to fill his belly. However, deep inside he’s emotionally wounded, a theme that slowly unfolds throughout the film. In fact, Fink is my favorite character; he might not be very likable at first, but once he fully reveals his inner self, he becomes someone everyone can love."
"Wild Robot" Still
When asked if Roz and Fink would reunite in a potential sequel, the director answered affirmatively. "At the end of this film, Fink stays on the wilderness island; I think Roz must return to the island. As audiences will notice, Roz undergoes a transformation through her life in the wilderness; she transitions from a sleek and technological appearance to one enriched with life, covered in moss, indicating that she belongs to that island."
The highlight of the event was the gift exchange between Chris Sanders and Chen Haoyu. Chen presented the director with a Chinese art piece depicting Roz in shadow puppetry, to which Sanders, pleasantly surprised, revealed that he had also contributed to the hand-drawn elements of the film. He then took to the drawing board and, using a lively brush, depicted the scene where Roz and Fink first meet Brightbill, cradling the adorable little gosling in his hands. The live drawing session took Sanders five minutes and captivated the audience, who erupted into thunderous applause.
Chris Sanders and Chen Haoyu showcase their exchanged gifts
Chen Haoyu showcases the hand-drawn family portrait of the film characters, gifted by the director, on her personal social media.
