Exciting news is on the horizon for 2024, as the upcoming adventure film “The Legend of Ochi” introduces a charming new mascot that many are likening to popular characters like Grogu (better known as Baby Yoda from “Star Wars”) and Gizmo from “Gremlins.” This film is set to capture the hearts of audiences with its unique storytelling and whimsical design.
“The Legend of Ochi” marks the feature directorial debut of Isaiah Saxon, an accomplished filmmaker previously known for his visually striking music videos for artists such as Björk, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, and Kanye West. Alongside his directing work, Saxon is also a co-founder of the animation studio Encyclopedia Pictura, known for its innovative and artistic approaches to animation.
At the core of the film is a heartfelt narrative involving a young girl, portrayed by the talented Helena Zengel, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery by running away from home. During her adventure, she encounters an elusive and mysterious animal species referred to as OCHI, which is the title’s eponymous creature. This storyline threads together themes of communication and understanding—the premise centers on the protagonist’s ability to connect with these enigmatic beings.
The cast of “The Legend of Ochi” boasts notable actors, including Finn Wolfhard, renowned for his roles in “Stranger Things” and “It,” and the esteemed Emily Watson, alongside the iconic Willem Dafoe, a familiar face in many beloved films.
Writer and director Saxon has shared first-look images of the film’s animation on his Tumblr page, providing a glimpse into the visual style that defines the project. He describes “The Legend of Ochi” as not just a narrative journey, but also “a movie about the mysteries of animal communication,” merging elements of adventure and musical storytelling.
In collaboration with Saxon, Dave Longstreth, the founder of Dirty Projectors, is onboard to create the original score, promising a rich auditory experience to complement the film’s visuals. The production team is a robust assembly of creative minds, with Saxon leading as one of the producers, alongside Encyclopedia Pictura. They are joined by Traci Carlson and Richard Peete from Neighborhood Watch, as well as Jonathan Wang from Year of the Rat.
Furthermore, the project benefits from the expertise of executive producers including the Russo Brothers—known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—Mike Larocca, and Angela Russo-Otstot from AGBO, alongside Louise Lovegrove and Alex Plapinger, ensuring a comprehensive and well-supported production.
With its captivating premise and a talented team behind it, “The Legend of Ochi” promises to be a standout film in 2024, likely to resonate with audiences of all ages.
“The Legend of Ochi” was announced in 2021 and filmed in Transylvania and Romania. Willem Dafoe is involved in several projects, including another A24 film set in Transylvania: a highly-anticipated collaboration with Robert Eggers titled “Nosferatu.” Additionally, he will appear in Wes Anderson’s upcoming film “The Phoenician Scheme,” following his performances in Anderson’s previous works, “Asteroid City” and “The French Dispatch.” Dafoe also starred in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness” and Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” both released in 2024. A24 is set to release “The Legend of Ochi” in theaters, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.
