A24 Delays 'The Legend of Ochi' Release After Director Loses Home in Wildfires

A24 has postponed the theatrical release of 'The Legend of Ochi,' originally set for February 28, 2025, to April 25, 2025, following the devastating loss of director Isaiah Saxon's home in the Los Angeles wildfires. Despite the setback, the film is still scheduled to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, with Saxon and the cast, including Helena Zengel and Willem Dafoe, in attendance. The film tells the story of a shy farm girl named Yuri, who embarks on a quest to rescue a wounded baby ochi, a creature she was raised to fear. Saxon, who spent six years on the project, emphasized that the film utilizes traditional techniques like puppetry and animatronics, countering claims that it was made using AI. The wildfires have reportedly destroyed over 9,000 structures in Altadena, where Saxon resided. In his poignant social media posts, Saxon expressed his heartbreak over the loss of his community.