Wes Anderson announces next film “Isle of Dogs”

Acclaimed director Wes Anderson has announced his newest project, “Isle of Dogs,” a stop-motion animated film.

In a video preview released today, Anderson revealed the film is about canines, with actor Edward Norton in the lead role as Rex. Other stars involved include Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, F. Murray Abraham, Tilda Swinton, Kunichi Nomura, Harvey Keitel, Akira Ito, Akira Takayama, Koyu Rankin, Yoko Ono, Courtney B. Vance, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Bob Balaban, and Liev Schrieber.

The announcement video is actually comical in typical Wes Anderson fashion, as his “preview” of the film lasts about three seconds, with Edward Norton chiming in.

This film will mark the second full stop-motion film for Anderson following 2009’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. He also used stop-motion special effects in 2003’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

As part of the announcement, Anderson also revealed he’s launched a charity campaign through Crowdrise to benefit the Film Foundation, which is a nonprofit founded by Martin Scorsese dedicated to protecting and preserving motion picture history. Fans who donate $10 will be entered into a raffle for a grand prize which is a trip for two to London to meet Anderson and even voice one of the canine characters in the film.

Anderson’s last film was 2014’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, which garnered a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy, and was a nominee for Best Picture by the Academy Awards.