New Hollywood deal for Wallace and Gromit creators

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman have agreed a three-year deal with Sony Pictures, it was announced.

The animation company had been looking for a new Hollywood partner after its association with US studio Dreamworks came to an end.

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Wallace and Gromit ride again: Aardman animators have landed a new deal with Sony Pictures to produce more films like The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

"We have been huge fans of Aardman films for a long time and this deal expands Sony's commitment to animation in the worldwide marketplace," said Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal.

"Aardman makes movies with lively humour, great stories and fun, distinctive visuals. They have boundless creative energy and a passion for animation that is hard to resist. We couldn't be more excited about working with the entire Aardman team."

Aardman's hits include Chicken Run, which took over £100 million worldwide.

Their 2005 feature film Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit won the Oscar for best animated feature - one of four Academy Awards for creator Nick Park.

The Bristol-based company said it planned to produce "more world class animated feature films".

Executive chairman and Aardman co-founder David Sproxton said: "We are delighted to find a partner in Sony that shares our vision and believes in our core values, who will support and encourage us to produce our finest work.

"We are all very excited by the potential and have a number of projects we are keen to bring to fruition with this new relationship."

Sony is keen to make more films for a family audience.

Last year's Open Season, featuring Billy Connolly as the leader of a group of squirrels, was the debut release from Sony Pictures Animation.

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