Revenge Most Birds Filmmakers Talk Iconic Villain Feathers McGraw and Stop-Motion Animation on the Red Carpet

Wallace and Gromit: The Bird's Revenge sees the return of iconic villain Feathers McGraw. Wallace and Gromit are the reason for his capture and he has been working on it for a long time. Finally, he sees an opportunity for revenge and seizes it when Wallace invents a helper robot gnome named Norbot. Revenge Most Bird explores the idea that we are sometimes too attached to technology.

first Wallace and Gromit Since 2008, he has been awarded a BAFTA award and nominated for an Oscar The Matter of Bread and Death, Wallace and Gromit: The Bird's Revenge brings together four-time Academy Award®-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award nominee Merlin Crossingham for an all-new adventure. Bringing old characters and new together, this film is a wonderful addition to the legacy Wallace and Gromit.

S creenRant interviewed directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, producers Richard Beek and Carla Shelley, and director of photography Dave Alex Riddett. Wallace & Gromit: Revenge of the Foulest red carpet premiere. They talk about what they think of this iconic couple that has resonated with so many viewers for so long. The filmmakers also reveal that eagle-eyed fans will be able to spot Easter eggs from the previous films and what makes the claymation stop-motion animation so special.

Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham say Netflix has been a great partner for Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

“They really went with the flow and allowed us to make the movie we wanted.”

Screen Rant: What do you think it's about? Wallace and Gromit Has this allowed them to really resonate with people around the world?

Nick Park: I have to pinch myself because I think back to my college days creating these characters and how big it is now. I think it's something to do with the appeal of hand-made, clay animation with fingerprints so people can see the artist behind the animation. Also I think the world is a world of pet lovers and the way Wallace and Gromit relate to each other. Gromit is even more human-like, which suits many pet lovers, the way they view their pets.

Merlin Crossingham: As well as being great fun, we're unashamedly British and handmade and we fly that flag proudly. I think that's part of their charm.

Screen Rant: What was it like working with Netflix?

Merlin Crossingham: They've been great partners and they've embraced that Britishness. They understand that it's really a big part of what Wallace and Gromit is and what Aardman is as a studio. They embraced us and here we are.

Nick Park: They really respect the whole legacy of Wallace and Gromit. They gave us very good notes when we had little story problems, but mostly they really went with the flow and let us make the movie we wanted to make.

Screen Rant: Why it's time to bring back Feathers McGraw?

Merlin Crossingham: It was really a story request. It wasn't like we were making a movie with Feathers. I think it needed a villain when you started massaging the idea to shape it. And there he was, staring at us.

Nick Park: Yeah, someone who needs more of a threat to Wallace and Gromit, someone with a personal vendetta. And since the gnomes themselves didn't do it, there had to be someone behind the Norbots. And who better than Feathers, who has spent the last 30 years in prison or in a zoo?

Merlin Crossingham: And he was put there by Wallace and Gromit, so he wants to get his own back.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Stop-Motion Animation Brings “Magic” to Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

“I think when people come to the studio, it's like being inside a puppet workshop. You know what I mean? That's what it feels like.”

Screen Rant: Will fans see Easter eggs from previous films?

Dave Alex Riddett: Well, there are quite a few Easter eggs in there, but I shouldn't give any of them away right away. I mean, there's a lot of noir movies, and there's actually a lot of dark movies that we refer to. You will see one at the start.

Carla Shelley: My lips are sealed.

Screen Rant: Can you talk about stop-motion animation as an art and why it's so important to the world?

Dave Alex Riddett: It's important because you can get into a world of completely fictional and completely ridiculous concepts and that. Everything is possible because every frame is handmade and created. So you can take it in all directions.

Carla Shelley: I think every frame is influenced by the human touch, be it thumbprints on plaster. Of course we now use visual effects to help us on our way, but still the touch of the hand on the screen is huge for us. I think that runs through everything we do. It just has real magic. I think when people come to the studio, it's like being inside the puppets' workshop. Do you know what I mean? It feels like that.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Richard Beek is happy the world knows McGraw is back in Wallace and Gromit: Revenge of the Birds

“We've been keeping it a secret for a long time.”

Screen Rant: What do you think it is about Wallace and Gromit that has resonated with so many people over the years?

Richard Beek: I think it's their Britishness. I think what people love about it is that it's quintessentially British, quintessentially Nick. I think people really warm to that, to this sense of humor that they have, and also to their relationship. I think that's what people love.

Screen Rant: I was so excited to see Feathers McGraw back.

Richard Beek: Yes, people are. It's really exciting, we've been keeping it a secret for a long time, it was great to tell everyone and it doesn't have to be a secret.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

About Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

Gromit's concern that Wallace is too dependent on his own inventions is justified when Wallace invents an “intelligent” gnome that appears to have developed a mind of its own. When a vengeful figure from the past appears to be controlling events, it's up to Gromit to battle the forces of evil and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!

Wallace and Gromit: The Bird's Revenge It will be released globally (except UK/IE) on Netflix on January 3, 2025. It will also be released in select US theaters on December 18.