Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget to Premiere at BFI London Film Festival
The long-awaited sequel to Aardman’s 2000 hit film Chicken Run, titled Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, is set to make its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. This stop-motion animated feature, which still holds the title for the most successful of its kind after almost a quarter of a century, will be showcased at London’s Royal Festival Hall on October 14. Preview screenings will also be held simultaneously at various locations across the United Kingdom.
Netflix acquired the rights to Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget after The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news about the film in 2018. Directed by the Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Sam Fell, known for his work on ParaNorman and Flushed Away, the movie is expected to be a major highlight at the festival. Considering that last year’s London Film Festival featured the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Aardman, a favorite among the Academy, will be hoping for a similarly successful launch. It’s worth noting that the original Chicken Run is said to have led to the creation of the Best Animated Film category at the Oscars.
The voice cast for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget includes both new arrivals and returning favorites. Thandiwe Newton takes on the role of Ginger, the brave chicken leader, while Zachary Levi voices Rocky and Bella Ramsey portrays Molly. The film also features the talents of Imelda Staunton as Bunty, Lynn Ferguson as Mac, David Bradley as Fowler, Jane Horrocks as Babs, Romesh Ranganathan as Nick, Daniel Mays as Fetcher, Josie Sedgwick-Davies as Frizzle, and Nick Mohammed as Dr. Fry.
Set after the events of the original film, the sequel follows Ginger as she leads the flock in a daring escape from Tweedy’s farm. Their ultimate goal is to find a peaceful island sanctuary away from the perils of the human world. Ginger and Rocky’s happiness seems complete when they hatch a baby girl named Molly. However, a new and terrible threat looms over all chicken-kind on the mainland. In order to protect themselves and their newfound freedom, Ginger and her team must embark on another daring adventure—this time, breaking in!
Director Sam Fell expressed his excitement at having the world premiere of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget at the London Film Festival, describing it as an honor. He praised the incredible talent and creativity of the Aardman crew, who have poured their hearts into making the film a treat for both loyal fans and a new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time.
Kristy Matheson, the director of the BFI London Film Festival, added her excitement about sharing the magic and artistry of Aardman and its beloved feathered characters with audiences in October. She described Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget as a film that is brimming with fun and has an enormous amount of heart.
Fans of the original film have been eagerly awaiting the sequel for years, and with its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, they will finally get a chance to witness the next chapter in Ginger’s daring adventures. The film promises to deliver the same charm, humor, and heart that made the original Chicken Run a beloved classic. With the added allure of new voice talents and a thrilling new storyline, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is set to captivate audiences once again.
