The director behind the upcoming animated sequelChicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Sam Fell, has offered some insight into why controversial Hollywood starMel Gibsonas replaced as the rooster, Rocky. Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporter, Fell explained why Gibson is not returning for the long-awaitedChicken Runfollow-up, with the role instead being voiced byShazam!star Zachary Levi.
“Mel was a fabulous choice for Rocky when he was this playboy rooster. He was a movie star and Rocky was a movie star. It was perfect. But now Rocky’s more vulnerable. He’s a first-time father. It’s more Ginger’s movie, so his role is different.”
While Fell says that Gibson was not brought back due to changes in the Rocky character, many have theorized that it is more to do with the controversies that have followed theBraveheartstar for the last several years.
And speaking of controversy, Fell was asked about the similarly problematic headlines thatChicken Run: Dawn of the Nuggetstar Zachary Levi has sparked of late, and whether these were of any concern.
“No, not really. I must admit I don’t watch social media too closely. I’ve got bigger fish to fry. But Zachary has got a great voice and great sense of humor. He brings Rocky to life in a great way.”
Gibson is not the only original star to have been recast for theChicken Runsequel, with Thandiwe Newton taking over as Ginger,replacing Julia Sawalha, alongsideShazam! Fury of the Godsstar Zachary Levi stars as Rocky Rhodes.
There is sure to be some disappointment surrounding the recasting ofMel Gibson, but it sounds like Fell is more than happy with the change as it best fits the story thatChicken Run: Dawn of the Nuggetwill endeavor to tell.
Chicken Island from Chicken Run Sequel Described as “Wakanda For Chickens”
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget director Sam Fell offers surprising description for the film.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Will Land on Netflix in December
Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm,Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nuggetpicks up with Ginger having 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!
Directed by Sam Fell (Flushed Away, ParaNorman) and from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell,Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nuggetstars Zachary Levi stars as Rocky Rhodes alongside Thandiwe Newton taking over as Ginger. The rest of the cast includesThe Last of Usstar Bella Ramsey as Molly alongside Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, and Nick Mohammed, with David Bradley starring as Fowler, taking over from the late Benjamin Whitrow who sadly passed away in 2017.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nuggetwill premiere at the 67th London Film Festival on 27 July 2025 and will be released by Netflix on 02 July 2025.
