Steven Spielberg has signed on to make a full-length movie version of the Oscar-winning Plasticine characters, “Wallace and Gromit.”
Nick Park – who created the eccentric British inventor and his lovable mutt – confirmed rumors that Spielberg and his company Dreamworks will back the film, to begin production later this year.
The announcement comes as Park’s “Chicken Run” – a light-hearted remake of ‘The Great Escape’ set on an English chicken farm – prepares to open June 23 and is expected to rake in $100 million its first weekend.
“‘Wallace and Gromit’ is probably the project closest to Nick Park’s heart,” his spokeswoman told London’s Daily Express.
He’s already made three “Wallace and Gromit” quickies – “A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Close Shave.” The latter two won Academy Awards for best animated short.
Insiders said that even though the very-British “Wallace and Gromit” will have to appeal to the American market, they won’t be moved from their rural northern England environment.
The cult series – filmed with plastic figures in “Claymation” – has seen the 62-year-old cheese-loving inventor and his beloved pet solve crimes and take a trip to the moon.
Spielberg will not direct the film, but will be involved in every step from the writing of the script to the finished product, a source said.
Park – who began his career in animation 25 years ago, said “Chicken Run” was born during a dinner he had with Spielberg.
“We were having dinner and Spielberg said, ‘Oh, “The Great Escape’s” my favorite movie and I also have a farm with 300 chickens.’ It was a dream result,” Park said.
The G-rated “Chicken Run” is a comedy-drama set on a Yorkshire chicken farm in 1950s England.
Featuring the voices of Mel Gibson and Miranda Richardson, it follows the turbulent romance between Rocky the Rooster and Ginger the Chicken, who plan a daring escape knowing they face the slaughterhouse.