Wallace & Gromit to return for new adventure in 2024
- The characters Wallace & Gromit will return in 2024 in a currently un-titled new special
- The plot focuses on Gromit's concern that Wallace has become over-dependant on his inventions
- The show will premiere on BBC One in the UK, and Netflix has the rights for the rest of the world
Wallace & Gromit return with Vengeance Most Fowl
The BBC has announced the first new Wallace & Gromit adventure since 2008.
The as-yet-untitled new project from Aardman will see Gromit worrying that Wallace has become over-dependant on his many inventions. The dog's concerns become true when Wallace creates a "smart gnome" which appears to develop a mind of his own. The result is that Gromit must put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces, otherwise Wallace may never be able to invent anything ever again.
The new adventure will debut in 2024 on BBC One, with Netflix having the rights for the rest of the world.
It'll be the first Wallace & Gromit production since 2008's A Matter Of Loaf And Death, in which the duo took up jobs as bakers, only to be targeted by a "cereal killer". This will also be the first Wallace & Gromit story since the death of Peter Sallis, the original voice of Wallace since 1989's A Grand Day Out. Since then, the character who - along with Gromit - has appeared in other works, such as games and adverts, has been voiced by Ben Whitehead.
The new short film will be co-directed by Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, and Merlin Crossingham. Park has also created the story with Mark Burton, who will write the screenplay. Claire Jennings will produce the stop-motion piece.
In a BBC press statement, chief content officer Charlotte Moore says: "It's incredibly exciting to be taking British audiences on a cracking new adventure with Wallace & Gromit and to be continuing our long relationship with Aardman and Nick Park following the success of Shaun The Sheep this Christmas."
Sean Clarke, the MD for Aardman, adds: "Wallace & Gromit are so loved by everyone at Aardman - they're like family to us, and we couldn't be more excited to be creating a brand-new film for them to star in. When Nick came up with the concept for a 'smart gnome', we all agreed that Wallace would find the idea irresistible - despite warnings from Gromit, who is wise beyond his (dog) years. We're sure audiences will find the story irresistible too."
Since 1989, Wallace & Gromit have starred in four short films: A Grand Day Out (1989), The Wrong Trousers (1993), A Close Shave (1995) and A Matter Of Loaf And Death (2008), as well as the feature-length film The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit (2005) and TV series Cracking Contraptions (2002) and World Of Invention (2010). All five films were nominated for Oscars, with The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit winning.
A Close Shave also witnessed the debut of Shaun the Sheep, who got his own TV series in 2007. The character has since starred in two feature films and has also had his own specials, the most recent being 2021's The Flight Before Christmas.