Aardman has announced a new Shaun the Sheep movie is in the works, entitled Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy.
The UK animation studio is partnering with Studiocanal as the international partner outside the UK. Sky is confirmed as the UK distributor releasing in cinemas and on Sky cinema. Studiocanal will launch international sales on the feature in Cannes.
Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy is the third stop-motion animated feature film in the Shaun the Sheep franchise and marks Aardman’s the fourth collaboration with Studiocanal, after Shaun The Sheep Movie and A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon and Nick Park’s Early Man.
The movie sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween, until the clumsy Farmer trashes the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch.
When Shaun turns to Mad Scientist to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control as The Farmer goes missing and a wild beast roams the woods of Mossingham.
Shaun the Sheep is one of Aardman’s best-performing properties, having broadcast in 170 territories worldwide, with its seventh series airing later this year.
The first Shaun the Sheep feature film was nominated for several awards including a BAFTA and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and was one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2015. Its sequel, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, was also Academy Award and BAFTA nominated.
Aardman also released a half-hour special in 2021, The Flight Before Christmas, which went on to win an International Emmy.
“Shaun the Sheep is an iconic character, beloved by viewers of all ages around the world. In our new animated movie, we bring family-friendly thrills to this light-hearted, spooky Halloween adventure,” said Sarah Cox, Chief Creative Director at Aardman. “Expect smashed pumpkins, wayward science, and a wild hairy beast on the loose in Mossy Bottom – all delivered with the Flock’s trademark joyous comedy.”
Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh and Deputy CEO of CANAL+ and Chief Content Officer of CANAL+ Ron Halpern EVP Global Production expressed their pleasure at being involved in the new film.
“ We have taken such pride in establishing Shaun the Sheep and the flock as a cinematic must for audiences across the globe and in this – our third feature film in the franchise – we have a tantalising seasonal hook in Halloween with thrills, spills, surprises, a touch of science and characters old and new,” they said.
“We cannot wait to reveal more of this highly anticipated family treat in the coming months. It’s a genuine pleasure to be back in partnership with Aardman for Shaun’s very welcome return to the big screen.”
The new Aardman feature film follows the recent success of the studio’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which broke viewing records in the Christmas period as it became the most-watched animated film broadcast on British television since modern viewing records began in 2002.
