Aardman, known as the most famous stop-motion animation house in the world, and the team responsible for Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run and many others, have reassured fans their future is safe after a weekend report claimed the studio was running out of its unique clay.
The Telegraph had reported that Aardman only have enough of its unique modelling clay, Lewis Newplast, to last one more film; the upcoming Wallace and Gromit project currently in production over at Netflix.
The sole producer of the specific modelling clay was based in Torquay and had shut down its factory earlier in the year. However, Aardman has said it’s planning a “smooth transition” to a new modelling clay, and have told fans there’s absolutely no need to worry.
— Aardman (@aardman) November 20, 2023
Aardman has been dedicated to Lewis Newplast modelling clay since it was founded in the ’70s, and what makes it special is not only its malleability, but also the way it’s able to retain its shape under harsh, heat-intense studio lighting.
In fact, when the factory announced that it was closing its doors, Aardman purchased most of the remaining supplies to use on the two projects it’d already publicly committed to in its deal with Netflix: a sequel to Chicken Run, Dawn of the Nugget – due out next month – and a new Wallace and Gromit film, which should hit the streaming service sometime next year.
The company’s tweet (embedded above) read:
We are touched about recent concern over the future of our beloved clay creations, but wanted to reassure fans that there is absolutely no need to worry. Aardman further noted that its current supplies of clay are not a concern, and that “much like Wallace in his workshop,” it has been developing plans “to ensure a smooth transition to new stocks to continue to make our iconic productions.
That’s very reassuring, thank you, Aardman.
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