Star Wars teams up with Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman for new short

The studio will contribute to Volume 2 of Star Wars: Visions.

By George Lewis

3 Feb 2023

Star Wars: Visions has announced its slate for season two, including a collaboration with Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations.

The anthology show, which airs on Disney+, comprises of a series of short films inspired by the Star Wars universe, with the first season including work by Japanese animation studios.

The second season, which will premiere on Star Wars Day (May 4), has expanded its roster by including studios from multiple countries, including Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers) and South Korea’s Studio Mir in addition to Aardman.

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Aardman, known for Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run, will create ‘I Am Your Mother’ for the anthology series, seemingly a play on the famous quote at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. The short will be directed by Polish filmmaker Magdalena Osinska.

Other episodes in the nine-part season include ‘In the Stars’ (Punkrobot), ‘The Bandits of Golak’ (88 Pictures) and ‘Aau’s Song’ (Triggerfish).

Executive producer James Waugh welcomed the announcement, saying: “The reaction to the first volume of Star Wars: Visions blew us away. We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people.

"We always saw Star Wars: Visions as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today."

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 starts streaming May 4 on Disney+ , featuring nine new animated shorts from nine studios from across the globe. https://t.co/41wgwbyqrO pic.twitter.com/WYsP4Eu3eA
— Star Wars | #TheBadBatch now streaming on Disney+ (@starwars) February 2, 2023

“Animation is in a global renaissance, and we’re constantly staggered by the amount of creativity pushing the medium forward,” he continued.

“With Volume 1, the imaginative minds of Japan’s anime industry were on full display. With Volume 2, we expanded our canvas to take audiences on a global tour of some of the most talented creators from around the world.

“We’re so proud to be able to reveal the line-up of studios we’ve assembled. Every short is incredible, full of heart, scope, imagination, and the values that make stories distinctly Star Wars – all while opening up bold new ways of seeing what a Star Wars story can be.”

Aardman, specialising in stop-motion and clay animation, is due to release Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget later this year. It is also planning another Wallace and Gromit adventure for the BBC, airing in 2024.

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 will premiere on Disney+ on May 4.