Aardman Animations has begun production on a feature based around claymation character Shaun the Sheep.

Shaun the Sheep

The Shaun the Sheep Movie, co-produced by StudioCanal, is being made at Aardman’s studios in Bristol and has been slated for a 2015 release worldwide.

First seen in Oscar-winning short film A Close Shave, starring popular Aardman characters Wallace and Gromit, the character and his “flock” have since featured in a TV series that has been exported to more than 170 countries.

The film will be shot using stop motion animation and is written and directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton.

StudioCanal is financing and will distribute the film in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. It will also handle international sales.

The story will see Shaun’s mischief inadvertently lead to the Farmer having to leave the farm. Shaun, Bitzer [pictured] and the flock then have to go into the big city to rescue him in an “epic adventure”.