Summary
The return of my favoriteWallace & Gromitvillain after more than 30 years is more than enough to get me hyped up for the upcoming movie, butFeathers McGraw’s comebackis also a sobering reminder that a major piece of the franchise’s formula can sadly never be fully replaced. Decades later,I still count Feathers among thebest Aardman villains of all time, as the penguin of few words somehow manages to blend comedy with drama all without making a sound. He’s one of the most iconic figures in theWallace & Gromitseries, and his homecoming is long overdue.
Feathers has had several cameos in other Aardman projects since his last starring role. Debuting in 1993’sWallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, he’s popped up as recently as his brief appearance in 2023’sChicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Each time I spot him, there’s a pang of nostalgia paired with me wondering why such a beloved character has never been properly reused. That being said,Wallace & Gromitisn’t a franchise that’s big on sequels, so Feathers' role in the upcomingWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlsays a lot about the villain’s immense popularity.
Every Aardman Animation Film, Ranked From Worst To Best
Aardman Animation has a fantastic array of stop-motion films on its resume, with several having earned gold status with critics and audiences alike.
Feathers McGraw’s Wallace & Gromit Comeback Helps Soften The Blow Of Peter Sallis' Absence
Vengeance Most Foul will be the first Wallace & Gromit feature without Peter Sallis as Wallace
Because only half of the titular duo speaks,Peter Sallis' role as Wallace makes him synonymous with the entire franchise. Sallis sadly passed away in 2017, with his last notable credits as Wallis coming in 2005’sTheCurse of the Were-Rabbitand in the 2010 TV show,World of Invention. Sallis' role as Wallis dates back to 1989, with the firstWallace & Gromitshort:A Grand Day Out. To me, he’s the heart of the franchise, and while I want moreWallace & Gromitstories, experiencing them without him in them will be a bitter pill to swallow.
Thankfully, Feathers' comeback provides me with a much-needed sense of stability. The silent antagonist doesn’t have the same restraints as Wallis in terms of having a late voice actor, as Feathers is cut from the same cloth as Gromit and has never spoken a word on screen. As long as the skilled animators at Aardman are around,Feathers McGraw’s ominous presence should be just as effective as it was in 1993- or so I’m hoping.
The silent antagonist doesn’t have the same restraints as Wallis in terms of having a late voice actor, as Feathers is cut from the same cloth as Gromit and has never spoken a word on screen.
Ben Whitehead will voice Wallace inVengeance Most Fowl. Whitehead has voiced Wallace several times before, but only in video games and in the occasional commercial. When I first heard his impression of Sallis' work, I have to say that his take on the character felt very inauthentic. However, over the years, he has gotten much better, with his speech patterns and cadences feeling more like Sallis. My theory is that Whitehead’s long-standing ties with Aardman initially landed him the role, but his efforts to improve his Wallace voice have convinced me he’s the right man for the job.
Wallace & Gromit Could Have Brought Back Feathers McGraw Much Sooner (But Didn’t)
Despite beginning in 1989, I’m still shocked that theWallace & Gromitfranchise has so few entries. That being said, Feathers McGraw debuted in the second installment, serving not only as the main antagonist in 1993’sThe Wrong Trousers, but also as the first proper villain in the series overall. His many Aardman cameos aside, Feathers has never returned in any meaningful way. Although there have been several teases that lead me to believe he’s been at large again for some time. For instance,1995’sA Close Shave, has “Feathers was [here]” etched into the wall of Gromit’s jail cell.
Currently,The Curse of the Were-Rabbitis the onlyWallace & Gromitmovie available to stream in the US. It can be found on Peacock.
Feathers McGraw’s first appearance is, I would argue, perfect. Going back to a character who was so effective upon his first use can be incredibly risky. So,I understand why Aardman has been so reluctant about reusing the villainous penguin- or chicken, as he would have the public believe. I think part of his legend comes from the endless theorizing about what he’s been up to since his implied release/escape that can be gleaned from his message inA Close Shave. So, bringing him back and confirming or denying any part of these hypotheses is still a huge risk.
My Excitement About Feathers' Return Proves To Me That Aardman Made The Right Call
Aardman is a studio that’s never short of ideas, and they’ve proven time and again that they can adapt to almost any challenge. Evidence of this can be seen in Aardman’s collaboration withStar Wars: Visions- a team-up I never saw coming. As such, making a sequel toThe Wrong Trousersafter so long is not something I expected, astheWallace & Gromitseries generally looks to the futurerather than focusing on past successes.
Wallace & Gromit’s New Casting Announcement Means Breaking A 35-Year Franchise Streak
Wallace & Gromit is one of the most beloved animated franchises of all time, but the new movie heralds a major change in the series' approach.
If I’d heard about the return of Feathers McGraw before the official teaser was released, I’d have been concerned. However, I was ecstatic when I saw the clip, so I’m happy about Aardman’s decision. The studio could easily have continued its trend of surging endlessly onward and created a new villain to oppose the franchise’s titular duo, but its rare choice to let its past guide its future seems smart to me - especially in the current era of nostalgia-led media. In short, it thankfully seems as though evenWallace & Gromitisn’t immune to the allure of revisiting past triumphs.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlwill air on BBC One in the UK on December 25th, 2024. Netflix will be distributing the movie globally in 2025.
