Ab Fab’s Julia Sawalha feuded with Aardman over ‘ageist’ Chicken Run 2 recasting | Films | Entertainment

“The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds ‘too old’ and they want a younger actress to reprise the role,” she wrote.

“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.”

She pointed out that her re-casting happened before it was announced that Mel Gibson, who voiced daredevil rooster Rocky in the original, had been replaced for the same reason.

In Dawn of the Nugget, Rocky will be portrayed by Shazam! star Zachary Levi.

“To say I am devastated and furious would be an understatement,” Julia wrote.

“I feel totally powerless, something in all of this doesn’t quite ring true. I trust my instincts and they are waving red flags.

“I am saddened that I have lost the chance to work with Nick Park and Peter Lord from whom I learnt so much. The three of us, together, created Ginger.”

Also not returning for the sequel are Timothy Spall and Phil Daniels, who portrayed the rats Nick and Fetcher.

They’ll be voiced by comedian Romesh Ranganathan and Line of Duty star Daniel Mays in the sequel.

Benjamin Whitrow, the voice of ageing rooster Fowler, died in 2017, so his role will be played by David Bradley.

Despite the slew of recasts, Imelda Staunton, Jane Horrocks, Lynn Ferguson and Miranda Richardson will all return as Bunty, Babs, Mac and Mrs Tweedy, respectively.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget releases Friday, December 15 on Netflix.

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