Nick Park on whether we can expect a Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep reunion
Nick Park has revealed whether his beloved characters could reunite for a new film...
Preston born filmmaker and animator Nick Park is probably best known for creating some of the UK’s most beloved characters, namely Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
This Christmas, 67-year-old Nick has teamed up with Radio Times to create a special cover for their Christmas Issue.
The cover in question sees Wallace and Gromit pair up with Shaun the Sheep for a festive shot to celebrate Shaun the Sheep’s 30th anniversary.
Former Preston College student Nick however shut down the idea that the characters could ever appear in something more together, despite the fact little Shaun was first introduced in the Wallace and Gromit film Close Shave back in 1995.
Discussing their difference in modernity, Nick said: “Gromit and Shaun started off together, but since Shaun got his own series, we’ve sort of separated the worlds, because they’re slightly different, with different rules.
“With Wallace and Gromit, everything’s a bit retro. They rarely have a TV on, until Vengeance Most Fowl. They don’t have mobile phones and they don’t really have computers, but if they do, they’re like antiques. Shaun the Sheep is more flexible in terms of the modern world. There’s social media and you can dial for pizza!
“I don’t think we’d merge the two worlds in a story, but we had the Farmer from Shaun the Sheep in Vengeance Most Fowl. In the first Shaun the Sheep Movie, we talked about whether Wallace and Gromit should go through the background at one point on the motorbike. I think we’d only ever do it if it’s unexpected and a joke guest appearance.”
Whilst a Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit mash-up may not be on the cards, it’s still a busy time for Nick Park’s characters
On Christmas Day, an episode of Shaun the Sheep will air on BBC One called Fleece Navidad,whilst next year Shaun has a new film coming out called The Beast of Mossy Bottom
A big Aardman exhibition will also open at London’s Young V&A on February 12, to mark the studio’s 50th anniversary.
During the chat, Nick also revealed where some of his ideas for stories come from.
He said: “I think through sketching – more so than through writing…That’s where a lot of film ideas come from. Wallace and Gromit are my favourite characters to sketch. I draw them in my sleep. They’re just very natural now – I’ve been doing them for so many years.
The interview mainly however focused on Nick’s new Radio Times Cover, looking at how he came up with the idea and all the work that goes into setting up a wax figure scene.
You can read that full interview in the Radio Times Christmas Issue, available to pick up instore and online with your favourite retailers: Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and TGJones.