Finn Wolfhard Says ‘Stranger Things’ Couldn’t Have Ended Better After ‘Lord of the Rings’ Style Year-Long Shoot; Last Day on Set Was ‘Incredibly Emotional’

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Finn Wolfhard recently participated at the EbMaster Studio event by Audible during Sundance, and he expressed that being in Park City to promote his new film, “The Legend of Ochi” by A24, is akin to a graduation ceremony because it marks his first press tour since completing filming on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” The series, where he made his acting debut, took a decade to produce. He shot the last episode in December.

Wolfhard reflected on his final day at the “Stranger Things” set, calling it an intensely emotional experience. After all, it represented a decade of his life. Similarly, for the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, it marked a significant milestone as they transitioned from being 30 to 40 years old. This journey was long and arduous, but everyone walked it together. For Wolfhard, it felt like saying goodbye to the childhood that had been captured on screen. In essence, it was much like the poignant farewell in “Toy Story 3” when one leaves their cherished toys behind. It was truly a unique and memorable moment.

He went on to say, ‘Last year was quite a lengthy one for us.’ We filmed something reminiscent of ‘Lord of the Rings,’ spreading over an entire year. It was an exceptional approach and incredibly demanding. I can’t help but feel that it couldn’t have concluded any better. Promoting ‘[The Legend of Ochi]’ is my first project since then, so it seems like I’ve just graduated from film school. I’m eagerly awaiting the release to see what lies ahead.’

At Sundance, Wolfhard is present for the premiere of “The Legend of Ochi.” This film is Isaiah Saxon’s directorial debut and uses puppetry, animatronics, matte paintings, and 3D animation to narrate the tale of a timid farm girl named Yuri. She dwells in an isolated village on Carpathia’s island and has been taught to fear a mysterious creature species called ochi. However, when Yuri encounters a hurt baby ochi abandoned somewhere, she embarks on a mission to return him home. The actors Helena Zengel, Emily Watson, and Willem Dafoe are also part of the cast.

Since the film employed puppetry and animatronics, the actors from “Ochi,” including Wolfhard, had the unique opportunity to perform alongside the movie’s magical creatures in actuality on the set. Wolfhard admired this artistic decision.

He mentioned that it simplifies our tasks,” he said. “It gives the sense of dealing with a real entity. I find practical effects more appealing. While visual effects can certainly create wonders, there’s an undeniable charm in exceptional craftsmanship, and incorporating that tangibility into a scene significantly enhances the experience.

Following the loss of his home in the Los Angeles wildfires, A24 has decided to postpone the release date for “The Legend of Ochi”. Instead of hitting theaters on February 28th as initially planned, the film will now be released on April 25th.

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2025-01-26 21:16