Tag: dreamworks animation (Page 7 of 8)

THQ and DreamWorks Animation announce partnership

December 4, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

THQ and DreamWorks Animation today announced that they have entered into multi-year, multi-property licensing agreements granting THQ the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and publish video games based on DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated feature films, Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom and Puss In Boots, as well as the CG animated television show, The Penguins of Madagascar.

The new agreements grant THQ exclusive worldwide rights to publish interactive games based on these DreamWorks Animation properties for all console and handheld systems, including Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Nintendo Wii Virtual Console, and wireless devices.

THQ plans to release videogames in conjunction with DreamWorks Animation’s theatrical releases, as follows:

– Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom, the sequel to Kung Fu Panda, is scheduled to be released on June 3, 2011.

– Puss In Boots, based on one of the characters in the Shrek universe, is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2011.

– Also, THQ previously announced the rights to publish videogames based on MegaMind (previously known as Oobermind), which is scheduled to be released on November 5, 2010.

Leonardo DiCaprio to headline DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Guardians’

December 4, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation announced today that Leonardo DiCaprio will make his animated feature film debut when he headlines the company’s November 2, 2012 release, The Guardians (working title) as Jack Frost.

DiCaprio is the first actor announced for The Guardians, which is produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, and directed by Peter Ramsey.

Synopsis: When an evil spirit called Pitch becomes bent upon taking over the world by inspiring fear in the hearts of kids everywhere, a group of our greatest heroes — Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost — band together for the first time, determined to stand in Pitch’s way.

More than a collection of storybook subjects, The Guardians are also a band of superheroes, who possess their own special powers. Now joined in opposition of a common foe, the Guardians heed the call and combine their powers to defeat Pitch and protect the world from his campaign of fear. The film is based on The Guardians of Childhood, a series of upcoming books by William Joyce.

New ‘Shrek Forever After’ details

November 25, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

According to USA Today Shrek Forever After will be the final sequel and will wrap up the Shrek story “happily ever after,” hence the title of the film. DreamWorks of course isn’t letting the Shrek cash-cow rest as they are hard at work on a Puss in Boots spin-off, which I’m sure would feature cameos by other Shrek characters; unless it’s a prequel to the Shrek films. I guess there’s always Puss in Boots 2…

Shrek fans will get their first peek at Shrek Forever After beginning December 18 when a trailer debuts before screenings of James Cameronâ€™s Avatar. The story picks up with Shrek feeling down, losing his ogre-ness, seeing what life would have been like had he not been born. Had Shrek not been around, Donkey would have been forced into cart-pulling duty, Puss in Boots would have traded in his sword for a pink bow and Rumpelstiltskin would rule the kingdom.

As far as new cast members go, Kathy Griffin and Kristin Schaal will voice ogre-hunting witches, while Jon Hamm will voice an attractive ogre who just so happens to be the leader of an underground resistance group.

Shrek Forever After is scheduled for theatrical release May 21, 2010.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Trailer

November 2, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

In theaters March 26, 2010.

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ and ‘Madagascar’ holiday specials coming to NBC

October 1, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

NBC has joined with DreamWorks Animation to air two all-new animated holiday television specials based on the studio’s feature films, “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Madagascar,” both featuring many of the characters as voiced by the original talent from the films.

The first of the 30-minute specials is titled, “Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space.” It features the voices of cast members Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland and Rainn Wilson. The special is set to air on Wednesday, October 28 (8-8:30 p.m. ET, repeating from 8:30-9 p.m. ET). The second special, “Merry Madagascar,” is scheduled to broadcast on Tuesday, November 17 (8-8:30 p.m. ET) and repeat on Saturday, November 28 (8-8:30 p.m. ET) just before the holiday season.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Teaser Trailer

September 13, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

In theaters March 26, 2010

Ferrell, Pitt and Hill join ‘Oobermind’ cast

August 17, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 1 Comment

DreamWorks Animation has announced that Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill will voice characters in the upcoming “Oobermind,” set for release in fall 2010.

Ferrell replaces Robert Downey Jr. in the title role of a supervillain who imagines all his dastardly dreams coming true after defeating good-guy rival Metro Man (Pitt), only to find life quite boring without an adversary. To fill the void, Oobermind creates a new superhero, Titan (Hill), who also wants to be bad, forcing Oobermind to switch sides. Also part of the cast is Tina Fey who plays a reporter keeping track of all the superhero drama.

Oobermind joins DreamWorks Animation’s other 3D animated films “Shrek Forever After” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” both of which will also be released in 2010.

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ sequel on the bubble

July 29, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

AWN reports that DreamWorks Animation is undecided on whether or not to begin work on a Monsters vs. Aliens sequel. DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg commented that a sequel is questionable after an unimpressive (by DreamWorks Animation standards) international performance.

Monsters vs. Aliens grossed $377 million worldwide, with $198 million coming from the domestic market. According to Katzenberg, “Domestically it has performed at a level that would surely qualify it as a sequel, and internationally it did not. This is the first movie we’ve had that’s right on the bubble.” A decision will be made soon.

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ debuts at No. 1

March 29, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation’s “Monsters vs. Aliens” destroyed the competition this weekend with a $58.2 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. This makes it the biggest debut so far of 2009, taking out Watchmen’s $55.2 million debut earlier this month.

“Monsters vs. Aliens” was shown in 3D on 2,080 screens, while the rest of the 7,300 screens were traditional, non digital screens. DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming films, “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Shrek Goes Fourth,” will also be in 3D.

3D ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ ad to air during Super Bowl XLIII

January 5, 2009 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation announced recently that it will debut a 90-second 3D ad for their upcoming “Monsters vs. Aliens” film during Super Bowl XLIII.

The commercial will be broadcast at the end of the 2nd quarter on NBC on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Viewers will also be treated to a 3D episode of CHUCK on Monday, February 2 at 9 p.m.

Intel has produced more than 125 million pairs of 3D glasses available at 25,000 SoBe Lifewater retail displays in participating stores. If you can’t find a pair, call 1-800-646-2904 to order a pair.

will.i.am composes ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ soundtrack

October 22, 2008 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Grammy-award winning will.i.am, frontman and producer of The Black Eyed Peas, is teaming with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer for DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

In addition to completing his first full-length motion picture soundtrack album collaboration, penning four brand new original songs (and the instrumental score), will.i.am will also be doing double-duty as the voice of a new character, Moto Moto.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, the album, is set for a November 4 release in the physical and digital marketplace on the will.i.am Music Group/Interscope label. The movie, a Paramount Pictures release, opens nationwide on Friday, November 7.

‘Kung Fu Panda’ sequel release date announced

October 3, 2008 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation today announced that the sequel to “Kung Fu Panda” is expected scheduled for theatrical release on June 3, 2011. DreamWorks Animation also hopes to release the movie in IMAX theaters worldwide.

The sequel will star Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and other original cast members. Running the show will be director ennifer Yuh Nelson, head of story “Kung Fu Panda.” Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, writers and co-producers of the original film, will also return.

DreamWorks Animation’s CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg, said, “We are thrilled to reunite the creative team that made ‘Kung Fu Panda’ such a global success. Because of their imaginative work, Po’s path to heroism proved popular with moviegoers of all ages around the world.”

“Kung Fu Panda,” which has raked in over $625MM worldwide will be release on on two-disc DVD and Blu-ray on November 9, 2008 alongside a brand new companion story, “Secrets of the Furious Five.”

‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ IMAX run extended

September 8, 2008 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation has announced that the IMAX run of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa has been extended to include the Thanksgiving holiday, and will run into December. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa will be digitally re-mastered for IMAX and play for a full run in IMAX theatres, including select new IMAX Digital theatres.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africaa joins four other DreamWorks Animation movies previously announced and/or released on IMAX, including Kung Fu Panda, released on June 6, 2008, as well as DreamWorks Animation’s first three 3D titles, Monsters vs. Aliens (March 2009), How to Train Your Dragon (March 2010), and Shrek Goes Fourth (May 2010).

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa opens on November 7 in North America.

Via AWN

Kung Fu Panda 2 and Madagascar 3 highly probable

August 15, 2008 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

The Hollywood Reporter reports that DreamWorks Animation will likely produce MADAGASCAR 3 as well as KUNG FU PANDA 2. No susprises here. After all, DreamWorks Animation is the same company who has plans for FIVE Shrek movies… Looks like Jack Black and Ben Stiller are in for some huge paychecks.

The announcement was made by DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg at a preview Wednesday of the upcoming MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, in theaters November 7.

Kung Fu Panda No. 1 at box office

June 8, 2008 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda, starring Jack Black as Po the panda, has debuted as the number one movie, pulling in $60 million in ticket sales. This was more than enough to beat Adam Sandler’s You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, which pulled in a respectable $40 million in ticket sales.

The top 12 films took in $172.4 million, up 32 percent from the same weekend last year.

Via MyWay