Yahoo Sports Chicken Run's Julia Sawalha hits back after being told she sounds "too old" to reprise Ginger role
Chicken Run star Julia Sawalha has revealed that the upcoming Netflix sequel is planning to recast the role of Ginger with a younger actress, saying she was told she now sounds "too old" to play the part.
Sawalha voiced Ginger in the original Aardman Animation film, which was released in 2000, and the film's fans were no doubt expecting the actor to return to voice the character again in the highly-anticipated sequel, particularly as the plot synopsis confirmed Ginger would definitely be back.
However, Sawalha has now released a statement revealing that she was told "out of the blue" that the film's creatives were planning on recasting the role and admits she feels like she's been "unfairly dismissed".
"Last week I was informed out of the blue, via email, through my agent that I would not be cast as Ginger in the Chicken Run sequel. The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds 'too old' and they want a younger actress to reprise the role," Sawalha 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."
Sawalha explained that she recorded her own voice test at home and sent it to the film's producers (and she made the video available to watch here too) and later received a reply saying "'some of the voices (not yours, I agree) definitely sound older'".
But Sawalha says she was ultimately told that they'd be going ahead with the recast plan.
"I received my letter of dismissal the day before it was announced that the 'Lone Free Ranger' had been axed from the sequel and that the character of Rocky was to be re-voiced," she continued, referring to the character voiced by Mel Gibson in the original.
"The reason given was that his voice is now too old. I feel I have been fobbed off with the same excuse.
"I went to great lengths to prove to the production that my voice is nigh on the same as it was in the original film. If they will be using some of the original cast members… let's be frank, I feel I have been unfairly dismissed."
She continued: "To say I am devastated and furious would be an understatement. 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."
Chicken Run 2 announcement!
I have officially been plucked, stuffed & roasted.
If you are interested, do read what I have to say about it.#ageism @actforchangehqhttps://t.co/MqUCOLWuPZ— Julia Sawalha (@JuliaSawalha1) July 9, 2020
"Today I responded by wishing the production the best of luck and the greatest success with the sequel," she concluded.
"There is nothing more I can do, other than to thank all of you who loved and still love Chicken Run, as I do. I'm off for the chop now," she added, before signing off as Ginger.
Digital Spy has contacted Aardman Animation for comment.
Chicken Run 2 hasn't yet confirmed a cast for the film, so there's no word yet on which, if any, of the original cast members will be officially returning.
Alongside Sawalha and Gibson, the original Chicken Run cast also included Jane Horrocks as Babs, Imelda Staunton as Bunty and Lynn Ferguson as Mac, as well as Timothy Spall and Phil Daniels as rats Nick and Fetcher. Benjamin Whitrow – who voiced Fowler – passed away in 2017.
Chicken Run is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Chicken Run 2 will premiere on Netflix globally.
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