- Aardman Animations reassures fans about adequate clay stock for future productions.
- The animation studio is known for popular franchises like Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep.
- The upcoming Wallace and Gromit movie on Netflix will not be affected by clay shortages.
Aardman Animations, the well-known animation studio, has put fans at ease with a statement addressing concerns around the company running out of clay for their beloved creations. The studio, famous for its stop-motion and clay animation projects such as Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, reportedly faced supply issues due to their clay supplier’s closure. However, the company reassures fans that they have plenty of stock and have been working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition to new stocks.
“We are touched about the recent concern over the future of our beloved clay creations, but wanted to reassure fans that there is absolutely no need to worry. We have high levels of existing stocks of modelling clay to service current and future productions and, much like Wallace in his workshop, we have been tinkering away behind the scenes for quite some time with plans in place to ensure a smooth transition to new stocks to continue to make our iconic productions.”
Besides Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep, the studio’s notable films include Flushed Away, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!, Arthur Christmas, and Early Man. Recent reports claimed that Aardman only had enough clay left to complete the upcoming Wallace and Gromit movie, which will be released on Netflix next year and is said to follow the duo dealing with issues caused by Wallace’s latest invention, the “smart gnome.”
Aardman Animations will showcase their expertise with the highly-anticipated sequel, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. The official synopsis reads: “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!”
Directed by Sam Fell (Flushed Away, ParaNorman) and from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will feature a few changes to the cast, with Thandiwe Newton taking over as Ginger, replacing Julia Sawalha, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods star Zachary Levi as Rocky Rhodes, replacing Mel Gibson. The rest of the cast includes The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey as Molly alongside Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, and Nick Mohammed, with David Bradley starring as Fowler and taking over from the late Benjamin Whitrow who sadly passed away in 2017.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is scheduled for release on 15 December 2023, by Netflix.