Chicken Run 2 will RECAST Mel Gibson’s voice role

Mel Gibson ‘is not expected’ to reprise the role of Rocky in Chicken Run 2.

The animated sequel is unlikely to use Gibson’s voice talent for the sequel to his 2000 hit film, which was announced by Aardman Animation Studios on Tuesday, two individuals with knowledge of the production told The Wrap.

The Oscar winner, 64, ‘is not expected to be asked back for the sequel’ said the publication.

It is not known if the rest of the Chicken Run cast, which included lauded actors such as Imelda Staunton and Timothy Spall, will return for the sequel either. 

The casting news comes days after actress Winona Ryder repeated her 2010 claims that the Braveheart star made antisemitic and homophobic comments to her during a run-in during a 1995 party. 

The Heathers actress, 48, claims the Mad Max star asked her if she was an ‘oven-dodger’, an apparent reference to her Jewish faith, in an interview with the Sunday Times over the weekend.

Winona -whose birth name is Winona Laura Horowitz- said when the issue of her faith came up, Mel asked, ‘You’re not an oven dodger, are you?’ 

Gibson denied the claims via a statement from his reps. 

Aardman’s Chicken Run 2 has been picked up by Netflix on the 20th anniversary of the original film.

The sequel was given the green-light two years ago after fans set up a petition for its release, and the upcoming movie is now expected to go into full production in 2021.  

Two decades after the blockbuster first dropped, Sam Fell’s British hit still remains the highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, and even scooped the Best Animated Feature prize at the 2001 Critics’ Choice Awards.

Chicken Run 2 will follow Ginger and Rocky’s new life in a ‘peace island sanctuary’, free of humans after escaping Tweedy’s farm. 

With the hen and rooster hatching a little girl called Molly, the couple’s world seems complete, but they’re later forced to turn their attention towards the dangers of the mainland.

The dynamic duo assemble their troops and put their freedom on the line in a bid to overcome threat. 

The first installment tells the story of a group of chickens attempting to escape the dreaded slaughter house, going to military-esque lengths to thwart their owners who have gone into the chicken pot pie business. 

It boasted a cast with British and Australian talent, including Absolutely Fabulous star Julia Sawalha, Oscar winner Mel Gibson, Damage star Miranda Richardson and Auf Wiedersehen, and Pet legend Timothy Spall. 

So far no voice actors have been attached to the second edition, but Aardman staple Sam has returned to direct after winning over fans with his efforts ParaNorman and Flushed Away. 

On teaming up with Netflix, Aardman co-founder Peter Lord said: ‘Fans around the world have waited patiently for a sequel idea worthy of Chicken Run so we’re delighted to announce, on the 20th anniversary, that we’ve found the perfect story. 

‘Netflix feels like the ideal creative partner for this project too: they celebrate the film-maker, which means we can make the film we want to make – the one we really care about – and share it with a global audience.’  

The exciting project will be released by the network in all countries but China. 

 Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, will serve as a creative consultant.