Earwig and the Witch, the newest creation from Studio Ghibli directed by Gorō Miyazaki, has set both Blu-ray and digital release dates.
Fans of the worlds Studio Ghibli has created over the years will be excited to learn that Earwig and the Witch will be released on digital platforms Mar. 23. A Limited Edition Steelbook and a Blu-ray/DVD combo is also currently available for preorder and will be released on Apr. 6. The combo promises to be "packed with bonus content" including "behind-the-scenes interviews with director Goro Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki and Japanese cast and crew, and feature-length storyboards." Earwig and the Witch will also have a theatrical release beginning Feb. 3 and will be available for streaming on HBO Max Feb. 5.
The upcoming movie is based on a novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones, who also wrote the children's novel Howl's Moving Castle, which received a film adaptation by Studio Ghibli in 2004. The English dub of Earwig and the Witch will star Taylor Paige Henderson as Earwig and six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves in her debut acting role as Earwig's Mother. Musgraves also sings the English language version of Earwig and the Witch's theme song, "Don’t Disturb Me." The film will also feature the voice talent of Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), and Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX's Legion).
Earwig and the Witch will mark a new era in the future of Studio Ghibli as its first full 3D CG animated film. Miyazaki is the son of Academy Award winner and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The younger Miyazaki will also be spearheading the animation as the only member of the studio familiar with this method of computer-generated animation. Gorō Miyazaki has achieved award-winning success on the series Ronja, the Robber's Daughter, which he also directed. The new film will be the first project the studio has released in four years since Hayao Miyazaki briefly came out of retirement to direct How Do You Live? in 2017 as a tribute to Miyazaki's grandson.
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
Directed by Goro Miyazaki, Earwig and the Witch features the voices of Richard E. Grant, Kacey Musgraves, Dan Steves and Taylor Paige. The film arrives in theaters Feb. 3 and on HBO Max Feb. 5.
Source: GKIDS