‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ Delivers an Epic Trailer

The studio behind beautiful stop-motion animated films like ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls is back this year with Kubo and the Two Strings, their most epic and gorgeous endeavor yet. As evidenced by the latest trailer, Laika’s latest project is going big — really big — with a sweeping adventure set in a fantasy version of Japan, and a charming voice cast that evokes similar casting in the English-language versions of Studio Ghibli films. But what really makes this trailer sing is the artful use of The Beatles’ melancholic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Kubo and the Two Strings invites you to the world of its eponymous hero, who embarks on an epic adventure to defeat a sinister spirit and uncover the mystery behind his father’s tragic death. Game of Thrones star Art Parkinson voices Kubo, alongside Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Rooney Mara, Brenda Vaccaro and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Here’s the official synopsis:

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.

Kubo and the Two Strings is the directorial debut of Laika animator Travis Knight, and hits theaters on August 19.