## The Unexpectedly Different First Gromit: A Look Back at the Iconic Claymation Canine
The charm of Nick Park’s Wallace and Gromit films lies not only in the witty narratives but also in the meticulously crafted details. Gromit’s vinyl collection (predominantly Bach), his sophisticated reading list (including fictional works like “Crime and Punishment” by Fido Dogstoyevsky), and his graduation from the prestigious Dogwarts University are just a few examples of the delightful sight gags that enrich the experience. These background elements invite repeat viewings, providing Aardman Animations the opportunity to subtly reference their wider world and company history. Fans of Shaun the Sheep, for instance, might have spotted the farmer from Mossy Bottom Farm in *Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, while *Vengeance Most Fowl* features an even quicker cameo from a significantly older version of Gromit.
However, the Gromit we know and love wasn’t always so recognizable. Early sketches from Nick Park’s time at the National Film and Television School in the 1980s reveal a strikingly different canine character. The initial screen test showcases a Gromit with brown fur and a wide, toothy grin – a far cry from the world-weary, furrowed-browed companion we’ve come to adore. This early design is subtly honored in *Vengeance Most Fowl*, with a sketch bearing a strong resemblance to this original Gromit appearing on a police station pinboard. Furthermore, a “Found Dog” poster, seemingly referencing the 1980s Gromit, complete with its prominent mouth, is attached to the famous “Have You Seen This Chicken?” poster from *The Wrong Trousers*.
*Vengeance Most Fowl* is brimming with such Easter eggs. References to early Aardman films like *Creature Comforts* (and its subsequent British Gas ad campaign) are scattered throughout. Even a nod to the very first Wallace and Gromit film, *A Grand Day Out*, is present in a scene where Feathers McGraw hesitates over a CAPTCHA image. More poignantly, a tweed flat cap hanging by Wallace’s door pays tribute to the late Peter Sallis, who voiced Wallace until his passing in 2017. The cap is a clear reference to Sallis’s iconic character, Norman “Cleggy” Clegg, from the popular UK sitcom *Last of the Summer Wine*. Ben Whitehead, a frequent Aardman collaborator, now lends his voice to Wallace.
These are just a few of the many intricately woven references within the new film. *Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer and Netflix, inviting viewers to discover further hidden gems within this beloved claymation world.