The much-anticipated return of Wallace and Gromit is upon us with their new adventure titled Vengeance Most Fowl, which is set to air on Christmas Day on BBC One. This marks the beloved duo's first feature-length film since 2005's The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and the first without the iconic voice of Peter Sallis, who portrayed Wallace until his death in 2017 at the age of 96.
Nick Park, the mastermind behind Wallace & Gromit, reflects on the emotional weight of creating this film without Sallis. "It has been quite emotional [doing this production] since we lost Peter; he was such an original, unique voice,” Park shared. “It's hard for anyone to step on his shoes. But we have been blessed with a youngish actor whom we've known for many years who can do a fantastic Wallace impersonation. He's stepped in very kindly and is just great; it's hard to tell them apart."
Stepping up to play Wallace is 47-year-old actor and voice artist Ben Whitehead, who feels honored yet daunted by the responsibility. "Enormous pressure!" he states, acknowledging the beloved nature of the character. "I got to work with Peter [Sallis] a couple of times for [2005's] The Curse of the Were-Rabbit film, so yeah, there's a great deal of pressure with this. I feel very grateful to Aardman for giving me so much time to build the character." Whitehead practices correct nuances of Sallis's portrayal and feels the pressure to embody both the humor and uniqueness of Wallace, striving to capture the essence with Wallace’s distinctive Yorkshire tones.
The inspiration for this latest project struck Park after listening to fans repeatedly ask about the next Wallace & Gromit venture. "Whenever we've done talks around the world, the last question is always, 'When is the next Wallace & Gromit film?'" he explains. Following this demand, he had been brewing the idea of Wallace inventing the ultimate smart gnome for over ten years. What could go wrong with such an idea? Naturally, chaos ensues when his creation, Norbot, ends up being hacked by his longstanding nemesis, Feathers McGraw, the criminal penguin who first captivated audiences back in 1993.
Since its inception, Wallace & Gromit has delighted audiences with their whimsical animations, starting with A Grand Day Out in 1989. Park's perspective on the duo is clear: "I think Wallace & Gromit have so many facets to their relationship. They are best pals, they’re kind of partners in crime, they’re man and dog. And hopefully, their stories resonate with everyone, young and old, on some level."
The return of Feathers McGraw also heightens anticipation for Vengeance Most Fowl. "Whenever we're out and about talking about Wallace & Gromit, the single most asked question is 'when will Feathers be back?'" says Merlin Crossingham, co-director of the film. The filmmakers capitalized on the opportunity to bring this fan-favorite villain back, and nobody seems to mind the wait.
Wallace & Gromit have garnered massive viewership over the years, with their last Christmas Day special, A Matter of Loaf and Death, becoming the highest-rated program of 2008, attracting more than 16 million viewers. While Vengeance Most Fowl aims to repeat such success, it faces tough competition, particularly from other fan-favorite shows like Gavin & Stacey. Crossingham light-heartedly welcomes the challenge, joking, "Bring it on, Gavin & Stacey!"
The excitement doesn’t stop with the animation, as the film features notable actors joining Whitehead's cast. Reece Shearsmith lends his voice to Norbot and other talents include Lauren Patel, Peter Kay, and Lenny Henry, making brief appearances to enrich the film’s storytelling. Park expresses appreciation for his talented voice cast, stating they all contribute to making the film memorable.
Reflecting on the process of creating such beloved characters and stories, Park shares, “Almost every part of it [the production] is exciting for me—storyboarding, coming up with ideas, writing, designing models. We are perfectionists, so it gets nerve-wracking at times, but eventually, it’s wonderful to see it all come together.” The anticipation is high as fans eagerly await the new escapades of Wallace and Gromit.
Fans of the franchise are reminded, this isn’t the end for Wallace & Gromit. “There’s plenty of bounce still in their bungee,” Park assures. “We’ll carry on. There’s always ideas worth kicking about.” With promises of future adventures, this newest installment not only honors the legacy of Peter Sallis but aims to introduce Wallace and Gromit to new generations of fans. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl airs on BBC One at 6:10 PM this Christmas Day, inviting viewers to celebrate the magic of animated storytelling once again.
