In late September, as fans of the beloved animated series Over the Garden Wall readied themselves for their annual nostalgic pilgrimage into its charmingly eerie universe, Cartoon Network announced an exciting new development. A decade has passed since Patrick McHale’s original miniseries captivated audiences with its rich blend of poignant storytelling and whimsical visuals, and now the network is set to transport viewers back into the enchanting yet haunting depths of the Unknown with a brand-new stop-motion short film, created in collaboration with the illustrious Aardman Studios.
The moment eagerly anticipated by fans has finally come to fruition. To commemorate this remarkable occasion, Inverse engaged in an insightful email interview with McHale to delve into the inspiration behind this new Over the Garden Wall short, the creative process involved, and how it fits within the broader narrative of the enchanting universe he created (though he playfully declined to disclose specific plot details). Additionally, being an admirer of McHale’s work, we inquired about a range of other projects he has been involved with, including the ill-fated Netflix adaptation of Redwall. McHale revealed that this adaptation was envisioned to evoke the nostalgic essence of the classic book covers.
Watch the new stop-motion short here and then check out the full interview below.
How did this partnership with Aardman come about? Who approached who?
It was an absolutely magical experience! My first instinct when deciding to pursue a stop-motion project was to reach out to Mikey and Dan, the talented directors behind Robin Robin, which I consider to be one of the finest animated films in recent years. I was delighted to learn they were with Aardman full-time, a studio I revered throughout my childhood. The thought of simply approaching Aardman for a modest, two-minute OTGW short felt daunting to me. Ultimately, visiting their studio and collaborating with them has been a dream come true. They truly exceeded all expectations with this new short.
You were able to get back all of the core actors to voice their characters for the short. Was that difficult at all? Were there any voice actors you tried to get but couldn’t? Did you approach Christopher Lloyd?
Fortunately, everyone was enthusiastic about returning right from the get-go! It was heartbreaking not to be able to collaborate with Jack Jones, who lent his voice to the narration in the original series, as he recently passed away after battling health issues. I cherished every moment working with him and was a long-time admirer of his talent. Frank Fairfield, who voiced the Toymaker in the series, stepped in to provide narration for our short in Jack’s absence, bringing a fresh yet fitting quality to the project. While it would have been wonderful to work with Christopher Lloyd again, our short spans just about two minutes, which limited the scope of what we could incorporate.
Not directly. Having always found inspiration in stop motion, the exquisite puppetry showcased in Pinocchio sparked a desire in me to physically animate the OTGW characters, manipulating their tiny arms and legs.
What’s your preference between hand-drawn animation or stop-motion? Are there times you prefer one or the other?
Both forms have their distinct merits and ideal uses. Depending on the emotion you wish to convey, one might serve better than the other. In reflection, Over the Garden Wall seems inherently suited to the stop-motion medium—it just feels like the right fit. Yet, I hold a deep appreciation for the artistry of hand-drawn animation as well; each technique holds a cherished space in my heart.
This is a very canon-y question, but when exactly within the story of Over the Garden Wall does this short take place?
Regrettably, I can’t divulge that particular detail. I think fans will need to draw their conclusions and interpretations regarding its placement within the story on their own.
The short entertainingly features familiar faces like Gregory, Wirt, Beatrice, and Jason Funderburker, the frog, lending clues about its position in the original narrative.
Has returning to this world for the short inspired you to keep telling Over the Garden Wall stories? Would you consider expanding the franchise in any format?
While I deeply value the world we created, I wouldn’t want to risk upseting that balance by expanding unnecessarily. That said, there are other original projects I’m excited to explore that capture a similar vibe!
Watching this short made me curious what Over the Garden Wall would look like in the hands of other famous animation studios. Are there any studios you’d want to work with on something similar? Maybe Studio Ghibli?
Wouldn’t it be fun to collaborate for a 20th-anniversary project down the line? I can only imagine the magic we could create together!
Besides Over the Garden Wall, are there any shows or movies you personally like to rewatch every October?
I find myself drawn to fresh experiences more than rewatching films these days. However, during the autumnal season, I do immerse myself in classic horror films. Nostalgically, I would revisit It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Garfield’s Halloween Adventure, and the delightful Claymation Comedy of Horrors along with other seasonal specials that grace television.
Are you interested in collaborating with Guillermo Del Toro again after Pinocchio?
Absolutely! The opportunity to join forces with him again would be a dream realized!
Your adaptation of Redwall never happened and the Netflix project has seemingly stalled out. Can you tell me anything about what your vision was for Redwall?
While I can’t disclose too many specifics, I envisioned a stunning adaptation that captures the essence and feel of the original book covers. It’s genuinely disheartening that it didn’t materialize, but I take pride in the process and growth that came from that experience.
There’s a lot of talk recently about generative AI as a tool for creating entertainment and animation in particular. As someone who’s spent a lot of time working in animation, what are your thoughts on the technology? Do you see it as a potential animation tool or something that should be avoided and pushed back against?
I have a myriad of thoughts swirling around regarding AI—it’s a complex and evolving issue. We are undoubtedly facing significant growing pains. Sometimes, I contemplate the radical idea of disconnecting from the internet entirely if things spiral out of control.
**Interview with Patrick McHale: Creator of the New ”Over the Garden Wall” Stop-Motion Short**
*In celebration of Cartoon Network’s exciting announcement for a new stop-motion short film in the beloved “Over the Garden Wall” universe, we caught up with creator Patrick McHale to discuss the project, his creative process, and what this means for fans of the series.*
**Q: Patrick, how did your partnership with Aardman come about?**
A: It was an absolutely magical experience! I reached out to Mikey and Dan, the talented directors behind “Robin Robin,” which I consider one of the finest animated films in recent years. Learning they were with Aardman full-time was a revelation for me. The idea of approaching Aardman for a modest two-minute short felt daunting, but visiting their studio and collaborating has truly exceeded all expectations.
**Q: Were you able to bring back the original voice actors for the short?**
A: Fortunately, everyone was enthusiastic about returning! It was heartbreaking to lose Jack Jones, who voiced the narrator. He recently passed away, and while it was tough, Frank Fairfield stepped in to narrate, bringing a fresh quality to the project. We would’ve loved to work with Christopher Lloyd, but the short’s length limited what we could include.
**Q: Do you prefer stop-motion or hand-drawn animation?**
A: Both have their unique strengths. Depending on the emotion you wish to convey, one form might serve better than the other. “Over the Garden Wall” inherently seems suited to stop motion; it feels like a natural fit. But I also have great appreciation for hand-drawn animation; both techniques hold a special place in my heart.
**Q: Can you reveal where this short fits within the overall story?**
A: Regrettably, I can’t share those details. I want fans to interpret its placement within the story on their own. It entertainingly features familiar characters like Gregory, Wirt, Beatrice, and the frog, Jason Funderburker, providing some clues along the way.
**Q: Has returning to this universe inspired you to explore more “Over the Garden Wall” stories?**
A: I deeply cherish the world we created, but I wouldn’t want to risk upsetting its balance by expanding unnecessarily. That said, I have other original projects I’m excited to explore that capture a similar vibe!
**Q: Would you like to collaborate with other studios for future projects outside of Aardman?**
A: Imagine collaborating with a studio like Studio Ghibli for a 20th-anniversary project! That would be an incredible creative endeavor. The magic that could come from that collaboration is truly exciting to think about!
*Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your insights with us! Fans can catch the new short film now and dive back into the enchanting world of ”Over the Garden Wall.”*