'Earwig and the Witch': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Studio Ghibli's first 3D animated movie
'Earwig and the Witch' is a Japanese computer-animated television film based on author Diana Wynne Jones' book of the same name. The film was expected to premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival 2020, however, due to the festival getting canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the film premiered at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon Metropolis, on October 18, 2020.
Release date:
'Earwig and the Witch' is slated to release on HBO max on February 5 and in select theatres on February 3.
Plot:
'Earwig and the Witch', Studio Ghibli's first 3D CG-animated movie follows the life of Earwig, a 10-year-old girl who lives in an orphanage without realizing that she is the daughter of a witch. One fine day, a strange duo arrives at the orphanage and takes her away to live with them. The film will portray her journey in life.
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Cast:
In the original movie, the characters were voiced by Shinobu Terajima, Etsushi Toyokawa, Gaku Hamada, and Kokoro Hirasawa. The English version will see the following actors voice the characters.
Richard E. Grant as the Mandrake
Actor Richard E. Grant will voice the role of the Mandrake in the film. The Mandrake is none other than one half of the duo that visits the orphanage that Earwig had stayed in, and decides to adopt Earwig along with Bella Yaga.
Dan Stevens as Thomas
According to the book, Thomas is the talking cat who helps Earwig realize the truth about the Mandrake and Bella Yaga. When the two of them had adopted her, Bella Yaga had expected to get a servant who would help her in mixing potions but with Thomas' help, Earwig teaches Bella a lesson.
Kacey Musgraves as Earwig’s mother
Kacey Musgraves will voice the role of Earwig's mother in the film. In hopes of saving her daughter from the 12 witches who seem to be hunting her down, Earwig's mother leaves her at an orphanage with a strange note that is pinned to the baby.
Taylor Paige Henderson as Earwig
Taylor Paige Henderson will play the titular role of Earwig in the film. She is the 10-year-old girl who gets adopted by a witch and her mean partner as a witch's assistant who then embarks on a journey to find her real mother.
Other cast members include Pandora Colin, JB Blanc, Logan Hannan, Summer Jenkins and Vivienne Rutherford.
Director:
'Earwig and the Witch' is directed by Gorō Miyazaki who is the son of animator Hayao Miyazaki. Hayao is one of the founders of Studio Ghibli and the last film that he had directed and written was the 2013 movie 'The Wind Rises'. Gorō's previous works include 'Tales from Earthsea', 'From Up on Poppy Hill'.
Trailer:
The trailer of 'Earwig and the Witch' introduces us to Earwig as a baby who is left behind by her witch mother in an orphanage. She grows up to like the orphanage and unlike other kids, doesn't think of getting adopted. However, that is exactly what happens when Bella Yaga visits. Not only does she get adopted, Bella Yaga tells her that she is a witch and Earwig is expected to help her out as a witch's assistant. Earwig, in the hopes of learning magic agrees but later finds out that potion making is not her cup of tea.
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