Updated 30/08/24: Norbot is revealed!
While you’re enjoying the last gaps of the summer holidays, the BBC are thinking about their festive offering: Vengeance Most Fowl.
We first learned of the new Wallace & Gromit feature back in June and now its creators have revealed the newest character: Norbot the smart nome.
The chirpy little fella is voiced by Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9), but is he as harmless as he appears?
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, Directors of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, says:
“We are delighted to introduce Norbot, a ‘Nifty Odd-jobbing Robot’ gnome, designed to help Gromit with his gardening chores. Norbot is Wallace’s most proud achievement to date and, according to Wallace, his “best invention ever!” Garden gnomes have long been a part of Wallace and Gromit’s world, but this is no cute patio ornament. Norbot is the ultimate gnome – a ‘smart-gnome’.
We’re so excited to see Wallace unleashing his latest invention Norbot into the world. However, his long-suffering pooch Gromit, may be a little less sure…”
Reece Shearsmith adds:
“As a huge fan of Wallace & Gromit, it’s been such a joy to work alongside Nick and Merlin and the team at Aardman to bring Norbot to life in such an exciting story. I think fans of all ages are in for a treat, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”
Vengeance Most Fowl premieres on the BBC this Christmas and, outside of the UK, will be available globally on Netflix this winter.
Original article (of 07/06/24) follows…
Vengeance Most Fowl – BBC reveal the next outing for Wallace & Gromit
The BBC have announced their latest feature-length adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl, which promises a rematch with the ice-cold supervillain Feathers McGraw.
The duo first faced the criminal penguin in 1993’s BAFTA and Academy Award winning The Wrong Trousers. The fiend was put behind bars at the end of that story… now, he’s out!
Here’s what we know…
Vengeance Most Fowl sees Gromit’s growing concern as Wallace becomes over-dependent on his inventions – which proves justified when Wallace invents a ‘smart gnome’ that seems to develop an evil mind of its own. But who or what could be the cause? As events begin to spiral out of control, it’s up to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces, or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
While Peter Sallis, the original voice of Wallace is no longer with us, the cheese-loving inventor will be voiced by Aardman stalwart Ben Whitehead (The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, Early Man). The film will also see the return of Peter Kay as Chief Inspector (formerly PC) Mackintosh.
Joining the team for this latest adventure are Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Reece Shearsmith (Inside No.9). The story also promises cameos from Diane Morgan (Motherland), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton) and Lenny Henry.
Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit said:
“I’d had the idea of a film about garden gnomes turning bad for more than a decade, but I could never work out what made them bad. It occurred to me that the single most asked question I get when I meet fans is, will the penguin Feathers McGraw, Wallace and Gromit’s original antagonist from The Wrong Trousers 30 years ago, ever return? We’ve had fun bringing him back in cameo capacities but now, three decades on, it felt like the right time. Then it hit me: What if Feathers was involved with these gnomes? We’re hoping that this film will appeal to fans of “Gnome Noir” everywhere and that people will be gratified when they see what Feathers has been up to since The Wrong Trousers.”
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham direct, and the producer is Richard Beek. The screenplay is by Mark Burton (Madagascar), from a story by Nick Park and Mark Burton.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=8OaNk-k6X3Zdehp8&v=nmQzeipJVXI&feature=youtu.be
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which runs for 70 minutes, premieres on BBC and BBC iPlayer this Christmas. Outside the UK, it will be found on Netflix.
You can find many of the pair’s previous adventures, including The Wrong Trousers, on BBC iPlayer.