Aardman chickens are set to run

A release date for Aardman Animations/DreamWorks' eagerly awaited
stop-motion feature, CHICKEN RUN, has been announced for June 23, 2000 in
the US. Fifteen minutes of completed footage were recently shown to
enthusiastic Aardman employees in England. The film is being directed by
Aardman co-founder Peter Lord and Nick Park (The Wrong Trousers, Creature
Comforts), and is described as The Great Escape with chickens. DreamWorks
SKG will distribute the film in the U.S. and most international territories
outside of Europe. In addition, DreamWorks is the exclusive worldwide
licensing and merchandising rights holder for the film. The other
co-financier, French company Pathe, which has been involved in the
production since it went into development at Aardman over three years ago,
will distribute the film in Europe.