Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – the feathery Xmas movie Netflix didn’t know it needed? (trailer)
https://youtu.be/g0bu73PqN5o?si=ei52CM6Ji8hO6aBA
In an era where sequels, prequels, and reboots are as common as finding feathers in a henhouse, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget clucks its way onto the scene. Yes, folks, after over two decades since the original Chicken Run had us all pondering the age-old question, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” we’re finally getting an answer. Or at least, we’re getting a sequel.
Directed by Sam Fell, who’s clearly not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, this long-awaited follow-up is set to bring back our favorite feathered friends (or at least some of them) for another egg-citing adventure. And who better to write this poultry tale than the original scriptwriters Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell, and Rachel Tunnard?
The plot? Well, it seems that Ginger, voiced by Thandiwe Newton (replacing Julia Sawalha, whose voice apparently aged like fine wine – too fine for the role), has found her Utopian paradise, an island free of human threats. With her husband Rocky, now voiced by Zachary Levi (because Mel Gibson was, well, not asked back), and their daughter Molly, it appears they’ve cracked the code to a peaceful life. But wait, there’s more! The chickens face a new threat from the mainland, led by none other than their former captor, Mrs. Tweedy. Because what’s a chicken movie without the return of the original villain?
Joining the coop are returning voices Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, and Lynn Ferguson, alongside newbies Bella Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, and Daniel Mays. And let’s not forget the menacing Mrs. Tweedy, once again voiced by Miranda Richardson, who clearly hasn’t gotten over her defeat in the first film.
The production of this sequel sounds as dramatic as the plot. Sawalha’s unceremonious replacement stirred up more controversy than a fox in a henhouse. The film’s announcement in 2018 led to a long incubation period, with pre-production officially starting in 2019. But hey, good things take time – especially when it involves crafting hundreds of tiny clay chickens.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget had its world premiere at the London Film Festival, with the film’s characters strutting down the red carpet. Because who needs human actors when you have charismatic clay chickens, right?
The film is set to release on Netflix on December 15, 2023, marking yet another entry into the streaming giant’s coop of content. With Harry Gregson-Williams returning to compose the score, the film promises to be a nostalgic trip back to the farm, with hopefully enough new twists to keep things fresh.
So, mark your calendars and prepare your best chicken dance. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is about to take us on another wild ride. Will our plucky poultry protagonists peck their way to victory once more? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: this sequel might just be the feather in the cap of animated chicken capers.
