The upcoming third film featuring Shaun the Sheep has a Halloween twist, building on the success of Wallace & Gromit’s previous adventures.
Aardman’s chief creative director, Saracox, describes the film as packed with smashed pumpkins, quirky science, and some rather wild creatures.
Titled “Shaun the Sheep: Mossy Bottom Beasts,” the story follows the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm as they prepare for Halloween. Briefly, events take a turn when Shaun consults a mad scientist to tackle a problem; soon enough, chaos ensues. Farmers vanish, and wild beasts roam through the Mosingham woods, setting the stage for a lively family escapade.
Shaun and his flock initially appeared in the 1995 Wallace & Gromit film “A Close Shave.” Since then, there have been six TV series, with a seventh series expected later this year, plus a spin-off aimed at preschoolers called Timmy Time.
On the big screen, Shaun has starred in two films: “The Shaun the Sheep Movie” in 2015 and “Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” in 2019, both of which received enthusiastic reviews from audiences.
Aardman’s iconic characters, including Shaun and Wallace & Gromit, have gained global popularity due in part to their minimal dialogue and relatable family themes. The TV show has reached over 170 territories worldwide, and there’s even a Shaun the Sheep Theme Park in Japan.
Nick Park serves as one of the executive producers on this new film; the writing and directing team includes alumni from past Shaun the Sheep projects.
Aardman has often drawn on Halloween for inspiration, as seen in “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” from 2005. A recent Shaun episode, “Pumpkin Peril,” features a frantic snail trying to protect a farmer’s prized pumpkin patch from ghostly intruders during the night.
“Shaun the Sheep has become a beloved character across generations,” Cox remarked. “This new animated film aims to deliver a fun, family-friendly thrill during this spirited Halloween adventure.”
Besides winning two BAFTAs and receiving an Oscar nomination, “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Is Mine” recently set a viewing record on BBC 1 on Christmas Day before its release on Netflix.
