When is Chicken Run 2 released? Latest release date, cast and spoiler news for sequel to classic Aardman Animations film

A Chicken Run 2 sequel has been confirmed, 18 years after the original was released.

But when can we expect to see it and who will be in it? Here's what we know.

When will Chicken Run 2 be released?

Aardman Animations is officially working on a sequel to the hit 2000 film.

Details are scarce at the moment, but it's thought that production will start at Aardman's Bristol studios after it wraps on Shaun the Sheep Movie Farmageddon.

It's also believed that the film will be developed alongside StudioCanal, with which it has partnered on its most recent titles.

They will also work alongside Pathe, which co-financed the original with DreamWorks Animation and distributed it in Europe.

Which cast members will be returning?

It's not been confirmed which cast members are returning for the sequel.

Sam Fell is set to direct the follow up, with Paul Kewley producing.

The original was co-directed by Nick Park and Peter Lord.

Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Timothy Spall and Miranda Richardson all provided voices in the original, but it's unclear whether they will return.

What happened in the first Chicken Run film?

The original Chicken Run film focused on a group of chickens who attempt to escape a Yorkshire poultry farm run by Mr and Mrs Tweedy.

But when Rocky, a flying cockerel arrived, with an injured wing, main character Ginger was sure the chickens are saved.

However, as he works hard at teaching his new friends how to fly, Mr and Mrs Tweedy start their plans for a chicken pie machine.

Rocky ended up bailing on his new pals but, of course, he came back to save the day.

With Mrs Tweedy shoved into the pie-machine by her irate husband and Rocky and Ginger leading their feathered pals off for a new life… the film had a happy ending.

The film remains the most successful stop-motion film of all time.

It grossed $106 million in the U.S. and $225 million globally.