‘Wallace & Gromit’ Return On Netflix Alongside ‘Chicken Run 2’
Beloved characters ‘Wallace & Gromit’ are returning once again, as Netflix & the BBC announced the claymation duo will feature in a new film for the streaming service, alongside sequel movie ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’.
The Untitled ‘Wallace & Gromit’ film sees Gromit’s concern that Wallace has become over-dependant on his inventions prove justified, when Wallace invents a “smart gnome” that seems to develop a mind of its own… As events spiral out of control, it falls to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces – or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
Nick Park (Creator of ‘Wallace & Gromit’ and ‘Shaun the Sheep’) returns to direct the movie alongside Merlin Crossingham (2nd Unit Director, ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ and Animation Director, ‘Early Man’). Park and Mark Burton (‘Madagascar’, ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’, ‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’) came up with the story, with Burton taking on screenwriting duties.
The film will premiere exclusively on Netflix around the world except in the UK, where it will debut first on the BBC before also coming to Netflix.
“We’re also delighted to announce the return of the iconic Wallace & Gromit. Nick Park is returning to his roots with a new film starring his beloved (and Oscar-winning) characters,” commented Peter Lord Co-Founder and Creative Director, Aardman. “Nick has always wanted – indeed needed – to continue the adventures of these two characters that he knows so uniquely well.”
In ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’, having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream – a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in!
There are a few cast changes from the original. Ginger and Rocky will be played by Thandiwe Newton (replacing Julia Sawalha) and Zachary Levi (replacing Mel Gibson), respectively. Bella Ramsey (‘Game of Thrones’) will voice their headstrong daughter, Molly, a new character who is a true chick-off-the-old-block, and completes the family trio in this new chapter.
Reprising their roles are Jane Horrocks (Babs), Imelda Staunton (Bunty) and Lynn Ferguson (Mac), joined by new additions Josie Sedgwick-Davies (Frizzle), David Bradley (Fowler), Romesh Ranganathan (Nick), Daniel Mays (Fetcher) and Nick Mohammed (Dr. Fry).
Sam Fell (‘Flushed Away’ and Oscar-nominated ‘ParaNorman’) directs the film based on a script by Karey Kirkpatrick (who wrote ‘Chicken Run’), John O’Farrell (‘Chicken Run’, ‘Spitting Image’) and Rachel Tunnard (‘Military Wives’). ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ will premiere exclusively on Netflix.
“Over the years, a sequel was often discussed at Aardman but the studio needed the right story and the right partner,” adds Lord. “Following Robin Robin, another collaboration seemed like a no-brainer and the perfect time to bring back our poultry heroes to the world.”
The Untitled ‘Wallace & Gromit’ film is a while away yet (this sort of animation take a LOT of time!), but will premiere in Christmas 2024 on BBC One and Netflix worldwide. ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ will air on Netflix exclusively in 2023.
