Netflix hatches Chicken Run 2 trailer

Virgin Radio

5 Sep 2023, 15:47

Netflix has dropped the official trailer for Chicken Run 2, properly referred to as Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, with Thandie Newton and Zachary Levi being cast in the main roles.

The trailer splits open with Ginger heroically announcing the films premise in an eggshell: "Last time we broke out of a chicken farm, well this time we're breaking in!"

As laid out, the film looks set be some sort of heist romp with our favourite poaching poultry, Rocky and Ginger, leading their plucky team of hens as they attempt to crack into a technologically advanced and dangerous new farm, that threatens to pluck their new life of freedom away from them.

Although they seem confident, the team are told that their task is an 'impossible mission' with the crafty rats joking that: "It's impenetrable. Yeah, you can't get in."

They proceed anyway, only to seemingly have their plans scrambled when they run into an old nemesis.

In a shock twist it seems that their former evil mother hen and farm owner Mrs Tweedy is still alive!

We had previously seen a teaser trailer back in June but this official drop promises even more egg-citement, especially on X (although it's former name Twitter seems more appropriate here).

"omg my inner child is so happy <3" One user said while another added: "OMG! HURRY UP CHRISTMAS!!"

Although not all are happy with one noting a controversial change during the film's production.

They said: "They didn’t even try with Gingers voice… like… Julia Sawalha is right there."

They are of course referring to the change from Loose Women co-host, who played Ginger in the original, with Westworld's Thandie Newton.

The move has been labelled ageist by some, as Aardman Animations told Sawahla that her voice now sounds 'too old'.

A rather strange statement, particularly when you realise that Newton is only four years younger than Sawahla.

Sawalha released a statement in 2020, saying: "Last week I was informed out of the blue, via email, through my agent that I would not be cast as Ginger in the Chicken Run sequel. The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds 'too old' and they want a younger actress to reprise the role.

"Usually in these circumstances, an actress would be given the chance to do a voice test in order to determine the suitability of their pitch and tone. I, however, was not given this opportunity."

Mel Gibson was not asked to return, being replaced Shazam's Zachary Levi.

The Last of Us’ Bella Ramsay is also a part of the the impressive list of actors associated with the project, joining the cast as Molly, Rocky and Ginger’s young chick. Plus Imelda Staunton, Romesh Ranganathan and Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed all have starring roles too.

“We’ve poured everything we’ve got into making this a treat for both die-hard fans and the new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time,” the sequel’s director, Sam Fell, said in a statement.

He also added: “What an honour to world premiere our film on home turf at the London Film Festival this year… Dawn of the Nugget showcases the amazing talent and ingenuity of the crew at Aardman backed by the enduring passion of the team at Netflix.”

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and in selected cinemas nationwide on 14th October and arrives on Netflix on December 15. The first movie is available to watch on Disney+ and Prime Video.