Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is an upcoming 2024 British stop motion animated comedy film produced by Aardman Animations and directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, featuring Park's characters from the Wallace & Gromit series. It is the sixth Wallace & Gromit film overall, the first since A Matter of Loaf and Death in 2008 and the second feature-length film following The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in 2005, serving as a full-length sequel to The Wrong Trousers (1993).[2]
| Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl | |
|---|---|
 Official Netflix release poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Screenplay by | Mark Burton |
| Story by |
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| Based on | Wallace & Gromit by Nick Park |
| Produced by | Richard Beek |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Lorne Balfe (score) Julian Nott (themes) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 79 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The film premiered at the American Film Institute on 27 October 2024[3] and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 25 December 2024 in the United Kingdom, and will become available on Netflix internationally on 3 January 2025.[4][5][6] The film received universal acclaim from critics.
Premise
editGromit's concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified when Wallace invents a 'smart gnome' that seems to develop an evil mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
— Netflix[7]
Voice cast
edit- Ben Whitehead as Wallace, an eccentric inventor from Northern England. This marks the first full film performance for Whitehead in the role following Peter Sallis' death in 2017. He had previously been voicing the character in video games and commercials since 2008.
- Peter Kay as Chief Inspector Albert Mackintosh, former police constable having been promoted to chief inspector. Kay reprises his role from Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.[8]
- Reece Shearsmith as Norbot, a smart gnome invented by Wallace designed to do jobs around the house, but develops a mind of its own.[9]
- Lauren Patel as PC Mukherjee, Chief Inspector Albert Mackintosh's plucky young protégé.[10]
- Diane Morgan as Onya Doorstep, a news reporter for Up North News.[11]
Appearing silent are Gromit, Wallace's brave and highly intelligent pet beagle and best friend, and Feathers McGraw, a penguin and criminal mastermind.[12]
Additionally, Adjoa Andoh and Lenny Henry will appear in cameo roles.[12]
Production
editDuring production of the A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008), Nick Park remarked publicly on difficulties with working with DreamWorks Animation during the production of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), such as the constant production notes and demands to alter the material to appeal more to American children.[13][14] This discouraged him from producing another feature film for years, with Peter Lord noting that Park preferred the "half hour format".[15]
A new Wallace & Gromit film was announced in January 2022, with Park and Merlin Crossingham as directors, from a screenplay by Mark Burton, while Claire Jennings was announced to produce.[16][17]
The factory that made Lewis Newplast, the modelling clay used by Aardman, shut down in March 2023; Aardman purchased enough remaining clay to cover the new Wallace & Gromit film.[18] The Daily Telegraph initially reported that the studio may not be able to produce new films afterwards due to a lack of clay, but Aardman later released a statement clarifying that it would find a new supplier.[19][20]
The film's title was confirmed to be Vengeance Most Fowl on 6 June 2024, alongside the reveal that Feathers McGraw, the antagonist of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993), would return. At that time, Richard Beek was announced to have replaced Claire Jennings as the producer.[21]
Music
editThe film's score was composed by Lorne Balfe, replacing the franchise's longtime recurring composer Julian Nott. Balfe previously provided additional music for Nott's score in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005).[22]
Release
editThe film premiered worldwide on the closing day of the AFI Fest on 27 October at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with a limited theatrical release set for 18 December 2024.[23] The film will then air in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 25 December 2024, and release outside of the UK on Netflix on 3 January 2025.[4][24][25][16][17]
Critical response
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 34 critics' reviews are positive with an average rating of 8.6/10. The critical consensus states the following: "Comforting as cheese and crackers, with some gentle ribbing of modern technology sprinkled on top, Vengeance Most Fowl revives this lovable pair with all their charm intact."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 82 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[27]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Music in Media Awards | 20 November 2024 | Best Original Score – Animated Film | Lorne Balfe & Julian Nott | Pending | [28] |
References
edit- ^ Sandwell, Ian (29 August 2024). "BBC reveals first look at new Wallace & Gromit character after 14 years away". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "From Feathers McGraw to Mr Burns: kids' TV's all-time evillest villains". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: Here's release date, where to watch, trailer and plot". The Economic Times. The Feed. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ a b Evans, Greg. "First trailer for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl sees old enemy return". The Independent. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ McNamee, Michael Sheils (7 June 2024). "Wallace and Gromit return to face penguin nemesis". BBC News BBC. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Hibbs, James (6 June 2024). "Wallace & Gromit's Christmas 2024 return adds Peter Kay, Reece Shearsmith". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ DiLillo, John (7 June 2024). "In Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, a Foul Foe Returns". Netflix. What is Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl about?. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024 – via Tudum.
Aardman's four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand-new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. In this next installment, Gromit's concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a "smart" gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master … or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit return with Vengeance Most Fowl". British Comedy Guide. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
Peter Kay will return to voice PC Mackintosh, the character who previously appeared in The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit. Mackintosh has now been promoted to Chief Inspector.
- ^ "BBC unveils first look at Norbot the smart gnome, coming this Christmas in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". BBC. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie. ""Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' Creators Promise Emotional Comeback: "We're Going To Make Everybody Cry And Laugh" — Contenders London". Deadline. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Review: Aardman's Beloved Duo Return With a Zippy, Gorgeously Animated Netflix Caper". The Hollywood Reporter. 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b Ritman, Alex (6 June 2024). "New 'Wallace & Gromit' Netflix Film Reveals Christmas Premiere, Title and Teaser Showing Return of Villain Feathers McGraw". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Farndale, Nigel (18 December 2008). "Wallace and Gromit: one man and his dog". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
- ^ "Wallace and Gromit return to TV". BBC News. 2 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (4 May 2017). "Aardman's Peter Lord "Absolutely Assumes" There Will Be More 'Wallace & Gromit'". Yahoo! UK. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ a b King, Jack (20 January 2022). "New 'Wallace and Gromit' Movie to Premiere On Netflix In 2024 and Here's the First Synopsis". Collider. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ a b Ritman, Alex (20 January 2022). "New Wallace & Gromit Film in Works From Aardman/Netflix; Chicken Run 2 Cast and Title Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Hughes, William (19 November 2023). "Chicken Run studio Aardman is apparently running out of clay". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Collin, Robbie (17 November 2023). "Aardman is about to run out of clay – now the Chicken Run creators face a crisis". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (20 November 2023). "'Wallace & Gromit' Studio Aardman Forced To Deny That It's Running Out Of Clay". Deadline. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "BBC reveals exciting new details of Wallace and Gromit's Christmas 2024 feature film return". BBC. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ Reporter, Film Music (1 August 2024). "Aardman Animations' 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' to Feature Music by Lorne Balfe". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (27 October 2024). "'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' Review: Feathers Returns in What Could Have Been a Perfectly Charming Short". Variety. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "World Premiere of WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL to Debut at AFI FEST presented by Canva". American Film Institute. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: What we know about release date, plot, voice cast and creative team". The Economic Times. The Feed. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ Willman, Chris (6 November 2024). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Noms Led by 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Blitz,' With Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Scores More Among the Nominees". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
