A mysterious forest is pushing beyond the screen ahead of LAIKA’s Wildwood. The Forest Is Calling Portal Experience will invite fans into the film’s Impassable Wilderness beginning July 23 at San Diego Comic-Con. After its first appearance outside the Hard Rock Hotel, the handcrafted activation will travel across North America before Wildwood opens in theaters on October 23, 2026.
The Impassable Wilderness Grows in San Diego
The Forest Is Calling serves as the first physical manifestation of Wildwood’s world. Visitors will enter an environment filled with evergreens, ivy, ambient sounds, and artifacts pulled directly from the film’s mythology.
The Wildwood Sigil acts as the symbolic entrance to the experience. Once inside, fans will discover Prue McKeel’s bicycle abandoned at the forest’s edge. Baby Mac’s wagon references the abduction that sends the story into motion.
Hidden symbols, artifacts, and Easter eggs will reward fans who carefully explore the environment. The experience also includes several clues that may carry greater meaning once audiences finally see the movie.
“Before audiences discover Wildwood in theatres, we wanted them to discover its world. The Forest Is Calling is the first invitation to step inside,” said LAIKA Chief Marketing and Operations Officer David Burke.
Every Visitor Finds Their Wildwood Faction
The portal does more than recreate the Impassable Wilderness. Visitors will take an interactive journey designed to determine where they belong within Wildwood.
Each guest will receive a personalized faction experience, digital photo, and collectible keepsake. The concept turns the activation into a first chapter rather than a simple promotional display.
RELATED: Adult Swim Unleashes a Giant Rick Head, New Shows, and Four Major Panels at SDCC 2026
LAIKA is also bringing its handcrafted filmmaking philosophy into the real world. Every scenic element was individually textured, painted, and finished to recreate the forest at human scale.
The film’s Art Director Matt Maldonado co-designed the experience with Portland agency KAMP Grizzly. Their combination of practical fabrication and extensive handcraftsmanship should make the portal feel like it escaped directly from a LAIKA production.
More Portals Will Appear Across North America
The first Forest Is Calling Portal Experience runs July 23 through July 26 outside the Hard Rock Hotel during San Diego Comic-Con.
After SDCC, new portals will begin materializing in cities across North America. LAIKA has not announced the complete tour schedule yet. Fans can register for updates through the official Wildwood channels, or subscribe to and follow Fenix Nests. We will track the portals and bring their locations directly to you.
Wildwood opens in theaters October 23, 2026. Tickets will become available later this summer through Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices.
Ready to answer the call of the Impassable Wilderness? Which hidden Wildwood artifact would you want to discover inside the portal? Where should the experience materialize after San Diego? Share your thoughts in the comments or @me.
KEEP READING: Heroes & Villains Brings Doctor Doom’s Destruction and Exclusive Star Wars Gear to SDCC
Leave a Reply