On June 5th, Aardman announced their next film will feature the return of the beloved inventor and dog duo, Wallace & Gromit. Unsure what adventure lies ahead, a surprise guest made an appearance. A penguin getting its mugshot taken on parole appeared in the teaser trailer. Classic fans of Wallace & Gromit recognized this penguin immediately as the tiny criminal who carries a gun, Feathers McGraw. So what made Aardman bring back their favorite mastermind?
Feathers McGraw in Wrong Trousers
The adorable yet frightening penguin Feathers McGraw first appeared in Wallace & Gromit in The Wrong Trousers in 1993. On the day of Gromit’s birthday, Wallace receives bills he doesn’t have the money to pay. After calculating how much he would need to make in a weekend or week, Wallace puts up a sign for a room rental. Little did Wallace know that he attracted a seemingly innocent penguin.
During this time, Feathers McGraw did not have a name. He was often mentioned as “penguin” or “guest” while living at 62 West Wallaby Street. During the film, Gromit goes through an identity crisis as his room is taken by the penguin who performs pet servitude to Wallace and works at night. Gromit couldn’t help but feel he was getting replaced and ran away from home. Not even Wallace noticed that his beagle felt distraught during the guest’s stay.
The Wanted Chicken
Gromit discovers a wanted poster on Wigan’s bulletin post. The poster shows a photo of Feathers McGraw wearing a red glove on his head to fool authorities into thinking he is a chicken. Anyone who captures the “chicken” alive will be rewarded £1,000 (£2,550 today). According to the film, McGraw is wanted for jewel theft as he prepares his next heist involving the upgraded Techno-Trousers, with Wallace as the rider to rob a museum diamond. His actions show why viewers love the Wanted Chicken as a villain.
The penguin can improvise when a plan goes wrong, learn to use any tool in a night span, and has firearm experience. McGraw makes an outstanding enemy in Wallace & Gromit compared to other antagonists like Lord Victor Quartermaine, who attempts to harm Wallace for his success. He’s the wary tale of allowing strangers into your home who will manipulate anyone blissfully ignorant of their actions.
Vengeance Most Fowl Teaser
In the latest teaser from Aardman, Feathers McGraw is the main villain of Wallace & Gromit in Vengeance Most Fowl. It’s unclear when the story takes place, but fans can assume it’s after The Wrong Trousers. After Gromit successfully captured McGraw in a bottle, the vicious penguin was admitted into Wigan’s Prison Zoo. The teaser shows a parole officer confiscating his valuables, including his pistol and red glove.
Another possible reason for the teaser’s setup is Aardman giving the viewers a reimagined flashback for those who are new to Wallace. In Aardman News, Nick Park said the idea of Feathers McGraw’s return came from the fans who were wondering if the wanted penguin would have a sequel film. Then, he revived a concept used in Wallace & Gromit in Curse of the Wererabbits, the surveillance gnome. With Park combining these elements, he developed an exciting adventure with a modern moral for Wallace.
Wallace & Gromit’s Film Release
Wallace & Gromit in Vengeance Most Fowl is set to air on BBC for the UK and globally on Netflix this holiday season. Creator Nick Park presents a new adventure involving Wallace’s invention, the “smart’ gnome. His partner, Gromit, believes Wallace is over-relying on them when one of them begins to defy orders. Stay tuned for updates on Aardman’s website.
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