The classic stop-motion animated film is on TV this afternoon and stars Gibson as Rocky the Rooster.
But back in 2000, how did the British company Aardman Animations persuade the Hollywood actor to take the part?
Nick Park, Chicken Run’s director, revealed how they managed to get Gibson on board in an interview from the time.
Speaking with the BBC, he said: “Peter [Lord] and I first met him at the Oscars in 1997 or 1996 or whenever.”
Park continued: “He invited us for lunch to his cigar lunch and there we discovered he was a Wallace and Gromit fan and that was quite separate from choosing him to play Rocky.
“Later when we were watching Maverick,his character was not that far from Rocky.
“We tested his lines by stealing lines from Maverick and animating to his voice.
“We thought he would be perfect. You can’t audition Mel Gibson, you have to know you want him I’m sure he’ll be offered more poultry roles after this.”
In the film, courageous caveman hero Dug (Redmayne) must unite his tribe against mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Hiddleston) who is determined to move into the Bronze Age.
Early Man will be released in UK cinemas on January 26, 2018.