Baobab Studios have announced that Star Wars actor Daisy Ridley has been cast in the lead role of Magda in the next VR project, Baba Yaga. presenting a Work in Progress panel at this year’s online Annecy Animation Film Festival. The studio behind Bonfire and Crow: The Legend, also revealed a first look at Ridley’s character, the story and style behind Baba Yaga, as well as insights into their unique approach to interactive filmmaking.
Directed by Baobab Studios co-founder Eric Darnell and co-directed by Mathias Chelebourg, Baba Yaga is a contemporary portrayal of the Eastern European legend inspired by illustrative 2D pop-up animation, hand-drawn and stop-motion styles, creating a modern visual language for VR inspired by classic animation. The viewer is the main character in Baba Yaga as he/she travels through the dark and mystic fairytale in which their choices impact the ending of the story. The main character will be accompanied by their 10-year-old sister Magda, voiced by Ridley, as the two girls search a magical forest for a plant that can cure their mother’s sickness, but must be wary of the wicked witch, Baba Yaga, who lives there.
“Baobab is at the very forefront of VR and interactive animation, so it’s been exciting to work with Eric and the team to bring such a beautiful story to life,” said Ridley. “I love playing Magda, because she is brave, vulnerable and fiercely protective of her family all at the same time. The idea that the viewer will be able to genuinely interact with my character in this magical world and help steer the course of the narrative is so amazing.”
The Baobab Studios team will also participate in a live Q&A hosted by the Annecy festival, which will be open to the public. Featured panelists will include several key creatives from the Baba Yaga production, including Darnell, Chelebourg, development producer Shannon Ryan and animation supervisor, Ken Fountain.
