Haunting Trailer for Studio Ghibli's 'When Marnie Was There'

Although legendary storyteller Hayao Miyazaki may be retired, or semi-retired or whatever it actually is, Studio Ghibli is still in very good hands. And they're smart enough to pay attention to every single word Miyazaki has ever said, which includes his list of the 50 best children's novels. One of the movies on that list was Joan G. Robinson's 1981 book, When Marnie Was There, and the studio has just released the first trailer for their adaptation of it.

Beautifully rendered and poetic, the film bears the hallmarks of director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who did an excellent job on The Secret World of Arrietty, the studio's highest grossing U.S. release ever. A lonely young girl named Anna is at the center of this ghost story, with Marnie the mysterious and strange new friend she meets one day. Then Marnie suddenly vanishes and Anna learns some interesting truths about who, or what, she really was.  Not that you can tell any of that from the trailer which offers nothing in the way of plot, but the emotions are clear and Ghibli  may have another animated classic on their hands.

We'll be sure to update you when a U.S. date is nailed down.


When Marnie Was There - bande annonce 1 [VO] by Filmosphere

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Studio Ghibli's Next Film is Ghost Story 'When Marnie Was There'

Legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki may be "retired" from feature films, but Studio Ghibli is still paying heed to his words very closely. Miyazaki released a list of 50 recommended novels for children, and one that featured prominently was Joan G. Robinson's 1981 classic, When Marnie Was There, and now the famed studio has announced it as their next project.

Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who last helmed the studio's highest-grossing U.S. hit The Secret World of Arrietty, will co-write and direct the film described as "an atmospheric ghost story" which centers on a lonely girl named Emma who finds her first friend when she meets Marnie. Only the mysterious Marnie isn't all she seems, and Emma seeks to find out the truth when Marnie suddenly disappears.

The film will feature character designs by the talented folks behind Goro Miyazaki's From Up on Poppy Hill and Hayao's Princess Mononoke, and if it looks anything like the above teaser art this should be gorgeous. When Marnie Was There is expected to be released next summer. [ANN]

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