Picture: Aardman Animations
Wallace and Gromit are returning to the big screen. Almost 20 years after their 2005 feature film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Netflix and the BBC will release a brand new entry in 2024.
This will mark Aardman Animation’s seventh major project with Netflix, following Robin Robin and the sequel to Chicken Run. Netflix also distributed the 2019 movie A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon and two Shaun the Sheep series. The studio is also very much involved in the upcoming mobile Netflix game called Chicken Run: Eggstraction.
The project was first announced in January 2022, with the BBC and Netflix boarding the project.
We should note at this point that the movie has yet to get an official name. The majority of places referring to the movie refer to is as “Wallace & Gromit Feature Film” or “Untitled Wallace & Gromit”.
According to several people attached to the project, the movie is believed to be 70 minutes in length.
What’s the new Wallace & Gromit movie about?
So far, we’ve been provided with the following synopsis for the upcoming movie:
“Gromit grows concerned that Wallace has become over-dependent on his inventions, which proves 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.”
Who’s behind Wallace & Gromit for Netflix?
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham – Picture: Aardman Animations
Nick Park, the original creator of Wallace & Gromit and the spin-off Shaun The Sheep, will be directing the movie alongside Merlin Crossingham (Wallace & Gromit and Early Man).
The story is being written by Park and Mark Burton, who worked on The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and Madagascar.
Of course, as with any other animated movie, especially a stop-motion film, it requires an army of talented concept artists, cinematographers, camera crew, lighting crew, sound, and much more.
Among the names of people we’ve seen attached to the new movie include:
- Claire Jennings (Producer)
- Richard Beek (Producer)
- Dave Alex Riddett (Cinematographer)
- Lucy Rans (Casting Director)
- Daniel Lewis (Lighting Technician)
- Laura Howie (Senior Lighting Camera)
- Will Becher (Supervising Animator)
- Gareth Love (Character Animator)
- Terri Matthews (Story Artist)
No cast for the new movie has been announced yet, but we suspect Ben Whitehead will be on board to return as Wallace, who has voiced him since 2009 since the death of Peter Sallis, who originally voiced the character.
Could Feathers McGraw be back after his Chicken Run appearance?
Picture: Aardman Animations
Finally, if you watched Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget on Netflix (we advise you do – it’s excellent), then right at the end, you may have spotted a familiar face.
We’re referring to Feathers McGraw, who is featured briefly at the movie’s end before the credits begin rolling. Is this simply a fun easter egg, or is it teasing the return of one of the greatest villains of all time for the forthcoming Wallace & Gromit movie? We’ll have to wait and see.
Oh my lord. He’s back. pic.twitter.com/baZ3riwUx2
— Kasey Moore (@kasey__moore) December 18, 2023
When will Netflix’s Wallace & Gromit Film Be Released?
Beyond a 2024 release window, it’s currently unclear when it will be released in the year. We suspect it may follow a similar release launch to Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, which had its premiere in October 2023 before hitting Netflix in December 2023.
In the BBC Media Centre article, they refer to the movie as being “an early Christmas present,” suggesting it could be in that December window.
As noted above, Netflix is expected to carry the movie globally, but the BBC will be distributing it in the United Kingdom. The BBC Media Centre states that the movie will be premiering on BBC One. Where we’ve seen BBC co-releases with Netflix like this before, Netflix in the UK has picked up the title as a licensed movie further down the line after the rest of the world gets it, so perhaps in 2025.
Given that most people attached to the movie are still actively working on it – we’re guessing a second half of the 2024 release.
For more on Netflix’s 2024 and beyond slate of animated movies – check out our preview guide.
While you’re waiting for the new movie to head to Netflix, you may be interested that Wallace & Gromit recently featured in a VR Game for the Meta Quest. Titled The Grand Getaway, the hour-long experience takes you through the history of the franchise and going on brand new adventures.
Are you looking forward to the new Wallace & Gromit movie on Netflix? Let us know in the comments.