Martin Freeman to narrate audiobook of "Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit"
Martin Freeman will narrate the audiobook of Gromit's autobiography, due 22 October. Creator Nick Park says Freeman is reading the story rather than performing a Gromit "voice".
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 2Actor Martin Freeman will narrate the audiobook of "Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit, as Told to Nick Park", the first autobiography of the silent claymation dog from Aardman's Wallace & Gromit films. VarietyLC “In step Martin Freeman, who will narrate “Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit, as Told to Nick Park,”” Read at Variety ↗ The GuardianLC “Now, Gromit will speak for the first time – with the voice of the Hobbit star Martin Freeman.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Left · 2Variety says the book's description states that Gromit "finally breaks his silence"; the Guardian notes he has been on screen for 37 years without uttering a word. VarietyLC “Gromit “finally breaks his silence.”” Read at Variety ↗ The GuardianLC “He has been on screen for 37 years, but he has never uttered a word.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Left · 2Creator Nick Park said that the question of who could voice "a character everyone feels they know, but nobody’s actually heard" led him to Freeman as "the obvious choice", and that he was "genuinely thrilled and honoured when he said yes". VarietyLC ““The more I thought about it, the more I realised Martin Freeman was the obvious choice really. I was genuinely thrilled and honoured when he said yes.”” Read at Variety ↗ The GuardianLC “Who could possibly be the voice of a character everyone feels they know, but nobody’s actually heard?” Read at The Guardian ↗
Left · 2Park added that Freeman is "not doing a Gromit ‘voice’ as such" but reading Gromit's story, including his inner thoughts, candid insights and witticisms, with his usual "colour, thoughtfulness and wry humour". Variety frames this as Park walking back the idea of a de-muted Gromit. The GuardianLC ““Martin is not doing a Gromit ‘voice’ as such,” said Park.” Read at The Guardian ↗ VarietyLC “attempted to (doggy) walk back the de-muting of his plasticine hound.” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 2Variety reports that recording took place earlier this month at Penguin Studios, and that the book and audiobook are due for release on 22 October. VarietyLC “Recording took place earlier this month at Penguin Studios, with both “Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit” and the audiobook now due for release Oct. 22.” Read at Variety ↗ The GuardianLC “will be published on 22 October.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Left · 1The Guardian ties Freeman's casting to his role as put-upon sidekick Dr John Watson in Sherlock, and notes a related immersive experience, Larger Than Life, opens at the Lightroom in King's Cross, London, on 14 October. The GuardianLC “Freeman previously honed the role of put-upon sidekick in his Bafta- and Emmy-winning turn as Dr John Watson”“will open on 14 October at the Lightroom in King’s Cross, London.” Read at The Guardian ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Light, playful entertainment coverage built around the idea of the silent dog finally speaking, with Park's quotes at the centre.
- Emphasis
- Variety stresses Park's Oscars, the recording and release date, and his qualification of the casting; the Guardian stresses Freeman's Sherlock sidekick role and the King's Cross Lightroom event.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither gives a publisher or audiobook runtime, or says whether Freeman will perform any Gromit sounds.
- Charged language
- “whip-smart”“de-muting”“sounds like a hobbit”
- For example
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“Gromit Speaks: Martin Freeman to Voice Beloved but Mute Dog in Audiobook Edition of Autobiography” — Variety
“Gromit finally gets a voice … and it’s Martin Freeman” — The Guardian
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Martin Freeman narrates the audiobook of Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit, as told to Nick Park.
- The book and audiobook are due on 22 October.
- Nick Park called Freeman the obvious choice and said Freeman is not doing a Gromit 'voice' as such.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Gromit is really getting a voice
- Left
- Headlines say Gromit finally speaks, though Variety notes Park walked this back and the Guardian quotes Park saying it is not a Gromit 'voice' as such.
Martin Freeman person
Freeman agreed to narrate; Park says he reads Gromit's thoughts with his usual warmth and humour rather than doing a character voice.
“He’s reading Gromit’s story as Gromit put it; his inner thoughts, his candid insights and endless witticisms” — Variety
Wallace & Gromit other
Creator Nick Park presents the audiobook as a solution to a voiceless character, while keeping Gromit's silence largely intact.
“Martin is not doing a Gromit ‘voice’ as such,”” — The Guardian
Left2 articles
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Gromit Speaks: Martin Freeman to Voice Beloved but Mute Dog in Audiobook Edition of Autobiography
Mixed Playful trade report that notes Park qualifying the 'voice' headline in the same breath.
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Gromit finally gets a voice … and it’s Martin Freeman
Celebratory Jokey news piece presenting Gromit as finally speaking, with Freeman's Sherlock background as fit.
Centre1 article
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 9 Oct 12:00 First VarietyLC Gromit Speaks: Martin Freeman to Voice Beloved but Mute Dog in Audiobook Edition of Autobiography
- 9 Oct 12:00 First The GuardianLC Gromit finally gets a voice … and it’s Martin Freeman
- 9 Oct 12:18 +18m Evening StandardN Martin Freeman lends voice to Gromit for audiobook edition of his autobiography
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.