The beloved characters Wallace and Gromit, created by English inventor Nick Park, have captured audiences’ hearts for 35 years now. Since their introduction, they have become icons in stop-motion animation, winning Oscars and making appearances in commercials, video games, and even animated series. However, feature-length movies have been scant, mainly due to the extensive time required for production; even a short film can take over two years to complete. Despite their successful formula, it took quite a while for the duo to return to film after their first feature, “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” which won an Academy Award following its release in 2005. After a lengthy hiatus, inspiration struck again, leading to the upcoming feature film entitled “Vengeance Most Fowl,” set to premiere on Netflix worldwide, excluding the U.K., on Friday.
The concept for the new film began to take shape post “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” Park envisioned a clever gnome named Norbot, designed to aid Gromit in gardening tasks. However, Park felt that something essential was missing from the story. He remarked on the need for a darker element typical of the “Wallace & Gromit” universe, pondering the potential for chaos in the gnome world and the identity of its villain. After five years of deliberation, they discovered their answer in the villainous Feathers McGraw, a devious penguin known for his crafty heists and disguises that had already stirred trouble for Wallace and Gromit in the film “The Wrong Trousers.” Park expressed relief, saying, “He was the answer to everything,” as the story expanded into a full-length feature.
Fan enthusiasm for the return of Feathers was palpable, providing the creators with renewed energy. Co-director Merlin Crossingham explained that while they had initially been hesitant to revisit past characters, the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the teaser trailer reassured them that they were on the right path. However, animating Feathers proved to be a unique challenge, as his design was simple and non-verbal, thus requiring extraordinary lighting and direction techniques to convey his personality. Only five animators from Aardman’s team volunteered to work on bringing the character to life, underscoring the difficulty this character presented.
The distinctively British charm of the “Wallace & Gromit” films is another hallmark the creators are passionate about preserving, even as they cater to a more global audience. The filmmakers and Netflix engaged in discussions over certain phrases, such as “Flippin’ Nora!” before ultimately deciding to retain it. Park noted that their experiences growing up imbue the films with authentic design elements and humor. He expressed excitement about incorporating a “high-speed” chase along the canals and humorous references to police at the Yorkshire border, harmonizing British cultural elements with conventional Hollywood narratives. Crossingham summarized it as a humorous nod to British culture rather than a flag-waving sentiment.
The foundation of their storytelling remains traditional stop-motion animation, a technique they have employed since their 1989 debut. Crossingham underscored the importance of allowing the thumbprints of craftsmanship to be visible on the characters. Although advancements in digital technology have presented new options, the team prefers shuttering any CGI applications only if they enhance the film’s aesthetic rather than being superficially added. They noted the challenge of blending certain visual effects seamlessly, ensuring that everything feels integrated into the world of “Wallace & Gromit.” This core theme of merging technological progress alongside traditional methods resonates deeply with the film’s narrative, reflected in a story where a well-meaning invention by Wallace goes awry.
Park had previously had concerns about the longevity of stop-motion animation, but he recently observed a resurgence in interest. He feels confident that as they continue to craft engaging and memorable stories with relatable characters, the future of stop-motion remains bright. For those curious about the latest film, “Vengeance Most Fowl,” here are some interesting statistics: it took five years to produce, included ten puppets of Norbot, eleven of Feathers McGraw, created 600 eyes for characters, and engaged a crew of over 200. These numbers reflect the dedication and artistry that continue to bring Wallace and Gromit’s whimsical world to life.
