Shaun the Sheep, the much-loved Wallace and Gromit character who made his screen debut 31 years ago, is finally getting his big Hollywood break.
His creator Aardman Studios has signed a deal with CAA brand management, one of the world’s leading talent agencies, whose client list includes Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks.
The aim is to increase Shaun’s earning power in the Far East where he is already big in Japan with a dedicated theme park
CAA has now been charged with boosting his impressive global earnings – he has already racked up almost £240 million in retail sales of toys, books, games and children’s clothing – by promoting him in China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.
Aardman’s distinctive ‘stop-motion’ animation, which involves creating every model’s movement by hand, swept Shaun to UK fame on Christmas Eve 1995 when he appeared alongside Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave.
The 30-minute film sees the heroic ruminant saving the hapless pair from a mincing machine by jamming it with a robot dog.
Aardman, which celebrated its 50th birthday this year, was founded by school friends Sir Peter Lord and Sir David Sproxton. Their breakthrough animation was Morph, a clay character who appeared on the BBC children’s programme Take Hart
Shaun The Sheep is being tipped to win his first Oscar since his debut 31 years ago
The stop-motion star’s third film, Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom, looks likely to take on Toy Story 5 for the best animation award after its release last week was well received by critics
The Bristol-based firm has signed a contract with CAA Brand Management, whose client list includes Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks
The company took a £5 million hit in its 2024 accounts – part of a strategy to increase investment in films and recoup money from licensing and intellectual property rights in future years.
PR and branding expert Mark Borkowski said the new agency partnership was a clear statement of intent.
‘When the agency that represents the likes of Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt signs a sheep, pay attention,’ he said.
‘CAA follows the money. This is Hollywood formally conceding that a shed on a Bristol industrial estate has built one of the most valuable entertainment brands on the planet.
‘Will Shaun out-gross Bond at the box office? Probably not. But that misses the point. The real story is longevity, global reach and untapped growth.
‘Shaun has a remarkable runway ahead, with opportunities across film, television, licensing, consumer products and new markets.
‘Underestimate this deal at your peril. It signals that one of Britain’s most quietly successful creations is entering an even bigger league.’
Alison Taylor, Aardman’s director of licensing & distribution, said: ‘Our brands already have a strong and loyal following in Japan and China.
‘However this collaboration allows us to build on that momentum.’
Shaun’s latest film – Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – was released in cinemas last week.
It was made by 30 animators in Unit 1410 of Bristol’s Aztec West industrial estate during a process which produced just two seconds of stop-motion footage a day.
The film has already been tipped by movie-makers’ bible Hollywood Reporter as a leading contender for next year’s best animation Oscar, along with Toy Story 5.
