The beloved duo of Wallace and Gromit are officially set for more adventures, as their creator Nick Park confirmed the series will continue following the release of their latest film,
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. This film aired on Christmas Day on BBC One, marking the first feature-length outing for the cheese-loving inventor and his trusty beagle sidekick after a 16-year hiatus since A Matter of Loaf and Death.
The movie sees the return of the villainous penguin Feathers McGraw, and Park reassured fans, "[It's] certainly not the end." He elaborated, saying, "I think there's plenty of bounce still in their bungee,” emphasizing his enthusiasm for potential future stories. "We'll carry on. There's always ideas worth kicking about."
Co-director Merlin Crossingham chimed in, humorously adding, “Give us a minute though. They take a long time to make!” This comment hints at the challenges inherent to producing quality stop-motion animation, which both keeps fans excited and patiently delaying their next fix of Wallace and Gromit.
A significant change for this latest installment is the new voice for Gromit, now voiced by Ben Whitehead. Previously, Whitehead lent his voice to the character of Wallace for various video games and commercials. He acknowledged the pressure of stepping in for the late Peter Sallis, who initially voiced Gromit until his retirement and eventual passing. Whitehead said, "There's always challenges to approach the character... especially giving Peter's legacy. The main thing to keep in mind is you're not going to be able to do exactly the same as them."
Whitehead articulated his approach to embodying Gromit, stating he wished to incorporate elements from Sallis’ portrayal whilst also adding his own interpretations. “Nick [Park] and Merlin [Crossingham] assured me of this as well because a voice match wasn't what was required here. I wanted to take as much as I could from Peter's character, which originally was made with Peter in mind. I took as much as I could from Peter's character but also brought some of my own aspects and characterizations to it.”
Following its premiere, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer, and it’s set to reach audiences globally via Netflix on January 3, 2025. The anticipation surrounding the film’s release adds fuel to the excitement about the series’ future. Fans of the franchise can look forward to more cheesy antics and fun-filled adventures with Wallace and Gromit.
Park's confident endorsement of the series' future, coupled with the creative voices behind it, suggests fans have much to look forward to. The heartfelt legacy created by Sallis and now carried forward by Whitehead is emblematic of the commitment to crafting memorable stories and characters within the stop-motion animated world. The fact they are reviving beloved characters after so long confirms Wallace and Gromit's cherished place within the animation pantheon.
With the acclaim and affection garnered from audiences over the years, it's clear the duo will keep audiences entertained, whether through sequel films or new adventures. The prospect of more narratives getting developed is something fans worldwide will undoubtedly welcome. So, grab some cheese and prepare for more whimsical escapades with Wallace and Gromit.”
