Nick Park, a visionary in stop-motion animation and a four-time Oscar winner, first brought the beloved duo Wallace and Gromit to life during his time at film school. Over the years, he has directed iconic films such as Creature Comforts, Early Man, and co-directed Chicken Run alongside Peter Lord. As a leading figure at Aardman Animations, Park has become one of the most influential stop-motion filmmakers in the world.
Merlin Crossingham, a versatile talent at Aardman, has contributed to many of Park and the studio’s most celebrated productions. As the Creative Director for Wallace and Gromit, he has often played a pivotal role in shaping the duo’s adventures. Crossingham is also co-directing the highly anticipated Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl with Nick Park.
In the new film, Gromit grows increasingly worried about Wallace’s reliance on his gadgets and innovations. His fears are confirmed when Wallace creates a “smart” gnome that begins to exhibit a will of its own. As events unfold, it becomes clear that an old adversary may be orchestrating the chaos. Now, it’s up to Gromit to confront these dark forces and rescue Wallace, before his long time friend loses the ability to create forever.
We recently had the chance to sit down with Park and Crossingham to discuss their latest film and to dive into the creative process they follow when bringing their unique stories to life. During our conversation, they shared insights into the painstaking work behind the scenes, from crafting the characters to perfecting every tiny detail. We also couldn’t resist asking about the circulating rumours of a clay shortage, which had sparked concerns about the future of Aardman’s iconic productions. Thankfully, they reassured us that the studio’s future remains bright, and there’s no need to worry about running out of clay for their beloved figures anytime soon.
The film
