Julia Sawalha has said she is “devastated and furious” as she claimed she has been axed from the upcoming Chicken Run sequel because her voice sounds “too old”.
The actress, who voiced Ginger in the original Aardman Animations film from 2000, said she has been told she will be replaced by a younger actress for the new film.
Sawalha, 51, shared a letter to fans on Twitter, reading: “Dear Reader, 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.
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
“The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds ‘too old’ and they want a younger actress to reprise the role.
“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.
“I am passionate about my work and I don’t go down without a fight, so I did my own voice test at home and sent it to the producers.”
She added: “Today I received a very kind and thoughtfully written response from one of the creatives, outlining their decision, most notably saying ‘Some of the voices (not yours, I agree) definitely sound older’.
Twenty years since the release of Aardman’s first full length feature, Chicken Run, we're excited to confirm the return of Ginger, Rocky and the rest of the coop, in partnership with @netflix.
Read more here: https://t.co/XN4VQp4VD4 pic.twitter.com/wBCpP20EVV
— Aardman Animations (@aardman) June 23, 2020
“However, they stated ‘We will be going ahead to re-cast the voice of Ginger’.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Today I responded by wishing the production the best of luck and the greatest success with the sequel.
“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, Ginger x”
The sequel to Chicken Run, which remains the highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, was announced in June.
It is expected to go into production in 2021 and will be released by Netflix.
The logline for the sequel says: “Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream, a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world.
“When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete.
“But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat.
“For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in!”
Netflix declined to comment.