Ben Whitehead takes over as Wallace after Peter Sallis' death

In the United Kingdom, a new Wallace & Gromit film titled Vengeance Most Fowl is set to air on Christmas Day 2024. This film marks a significant moment in the franchise as it does not feature the iconic voice of Peter Sallis, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 96. Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit, expressed the emotional weight of producing this film without Sallis, stating that he was an original and unique voice that greatly contributed to the charm of the series. The production team felt a great deal of pressure in honoring Sallis's legacy while introducing a new voice actor to the beloved character. The new actor, Ben Whitehead, takes over the role of Wallace for the first time. Whitehead, who has voiced the character in various Aardman spin-offs before, has been preparing for this important role. He revealed that “cheese” served as his “trigger word” to help him get into character. Fans of Wallace & Gromit have long been eager for a new adventure, making this film all the more anticipated. Park and director Merlin Crossingham aim to satisfy fans’ desire for continuing stories centered on the beloved characters. They brought back Feathers, an old villain from previous episodes, because audiences have always loved the dynamic between Wallace, Gromit, and their adversaries. This film not only reconnects audiences with Wallace & Gromit after a decade-long break but also re-establishes the series' tradition of mixing humor and heart. This Christmas Day airing follows the last Wallace & Gromit special that aired on Christmas in 2008. The interest in Wallace & Gromit remains high, reflecting their influence in British animation history. Nick Park assured fans that this is not the end for Wallace & Gromit, who continue to be relevant and beloved, bringing joy to both old fans and new generations. The anticipation surrounding Vengeance Most Fowl suggests that the franchise still has a dedicated audience eager for more adventures.