August 29, 2024 — The BBC have released a first-look teaser clip and picture of Wallace’s latest invention, Norbot – a pre-programmed smart gnome designed to do any kind of gardening task or “gnome improvement”. A quick learner, efficient, incredibly polite and cheerful – Norbot quickly becomes popular with the locals to help with their gardening needs. Until….

Norbot will co-star in Vengeance Most Fowl, which sees the return of one of the UK’s favourite duos, Wallace and Gromit, for a brand new feature-length adventure made by the multi-award-winning independent studio Aardman. The film will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas in the UK, and will be available globally outside of the UK on Netflix this winter.

Earlier this year, the BBC announced that the new 79-minute film will feature the return of the iconic supervillain Feathers McGraw. Vengeance Most Fowl sees Gromit’s growing concern as Wallace becomes over-dependent on his inventions – which proves justified when Norbot seems to develop an evil mind of its own. It’s up to Gromit to put aside his qualms and battle sinister forces, or Wallace may never be able to invent again!

Reece Shearsmith (League of Gentleman, Inside No.9) lends his voice to Norbot, first heard today in the brand new teaser. Ben Whitehead stars as Wallace, the eccentric, cheese-loving inventor from the North of England who lives with his best friend and loyal pooch, Gromit. Ben previously worked alongside Peter Sallis (the original voice of Wallace) on several Wallace & Gromit brand projects.

As previously announced, the voice cast will also feature Peter Kay, Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Lloyd of the Flies), Diane Morgan (Afterlife, Motherland), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton, Invictus), Lenny Henry (Three Little Birds, The Lord of the Rings) and Muzz Khan (Brassic, Galavant)

Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, Directors of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, says: “We are delighted to introduce Norbot, a ‘Nifty Odd-jobbing Robot’ gnome, designed to help Gromit with his gardening chores. Norbot is Wallace’s most proud achievement to date and, according to Wallace, his “best invention ever!” Garden gnomes have long been a part of Wallace and Gromit’s world, but this is no cute patio ornament. Norbot is the ultimate gnome – a ‘smart-gnome’.

We’re so excited to see Wallace unleashing his latest invention Norbot into the world. However, his long-suffering pooch Gromit, may be a little less sure…”

Reece Shearsmith, voice of Norbot, says: “As a huge fan of Wallace & Gromit, it’s been such a joy to work alongside Nick and Merlin and the team at Aardman to bring Norbot to life in such an exciting story. I think fans of all ages are in for a treat, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (1×79’) will premiere on the BBC this Christmas and, outside of the UK, will be available globally on Netflix this winter. It is directed by Nick Park (creator of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep) and Merlin Crossingham (Creative Director, Wallace & Gromit and Animation Director, Early Man) with the story written by Nick Park and Mark Burton (Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Shaun the Sheep Movie). The screenplay is by Mark Burton and the film is produced by Richard Beek.

Wallace and Gromit’s previous adventures can be enjoyed on BBC iPlayer below.