DreamWorks Animation Releases Official Trailer For 'The Wild Robot'

The Chris Sanders-directed film is set for theatrical release on September 20

With DreamWorks Animation ready to release Kung Fu Panda 4 in theaters this Friday, it only makes sense that they’re ready to unveil their next film, The Wild Robot, with its trailer ready to be included in as many trailer sets as possible. The studio released the official trailer to the film on Tuesday, the adaptation of Peter Brown’s #1 New York Times bestseller. The film is currently set for release on September 20.

It follows ROZZUM unit 7134 or “Roz”, a futuristic robot that comes ashore to a deserted island, kickstarting “a tale of survival and discovery begins befriending a close-knit group of misfit animals, who slowly become family. Soon enough, she also becomes the unexpected protector of an orphaned gosling, whom she names Brightbill. Together they struggle to survive the harsh environment, succeeding with the help of the animals. They find themselves defending the island from a robotic invasion by Roz’s manufacturer, looking to bring her back to civilization by any means necessary. The trailer is set to a cover of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, and showcases Roz and Brightbill’s well-traveled interactions with nature, and how truly friendly Roz is. The line said in the trailer being emphasized most is “Sometimes to survive, we must become more than we were programmed to be.”

With the release of the trailer came the announcement of the cast, led by Lupita Nyong’o as robot Roz; Heartstopper’s Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill; Pedro Pascal as Fink, a fox; Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail; Bill Nighy as goose Longneck; and Stephanie Hsu as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. The film also features Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames in undisclosed voice roles.

Described as “A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things”, The Wild Robot is written and directed by Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon director Chris Sanders in his return to DreamWorks following his directing of 20th Century’s Call of the Wild starring Harrison Ford. Jeff Hermann is producing and Dean DeBlois, his Lilo & Stitch co-director is executive producing. Longtime DreamWorks Animation veteran Raymond Zibach is the production designer, Mary Blee editor; and head of story is Heidi Jo Gilbert, coming off of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Watch the The Wild Robot trailer below.