Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run studio Aardman Animations is running out of clay. Really.
According to The Telegraph, the British animation studio was facing a crisis. Aardman uses a particular brand of clay to build its models, and supplies are running dry.
“This Plasticine-like substance is an animator’s dream: it’s easy to mould, yet keeps its shape under hot studio lights,” explained The Telegraph. “But in March this year, the only factory that made it, on the outskirts of Torquay, shut up shop.”
Ever since the studio began in the 1970s, it’s used Lewis Newplast, a special kind of clay developed by Chislehurst art teacher Mr Lewis in his garden shed. Unfortunately, the factory that makes it has now closed.
Despite buying out the entire stock from the manufacturer’s warehouse, Aardman reportedly only has enough clay to make one last film: the upcoming Wallace & Gromit movie, due for release in 2024.
However, while fans of the studio have feared this could put a damper on the studio’s output, it looks as though there’s no reason to worry. “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," a spokesperson told ITV News. “We have high levels of existing stocks of modeling clay to service current and future productions.”
Better yet, it looks as though they’ll be transitioning to new supplies. “Much like Wallace in his workshop, we have been tinkering away behind the scenes for quite some time with plans in place to ensure a smooth transition to new stocks in the years to come. Our fans can rest assured Newclay's closure will not impact Aardman's ability to continue to make our iconic productions.”
IGN’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget review gave it 6/10 and said: “With an uninspired story and original cast members missing, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget rarely delivers. Although the top-tier animation distracts from a lack of chemistry between Thandiwe Newton and Zachary Levi, this latest addition is never better than average.”
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget debuts in theaters on December 15.
Want to read more about Chicken Run? Check out why Chicken Run fans don’t like the new film’s voice changes and watch the Chicken Run sequel’s first official teaser trailer.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
