DreamWorks Animation

Bill Hader, Kate Hudson, and Josh Gad to Voice DreamWorks Animation’s ME & MY SHADOW

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 31st, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Bill Hader, Kate Hudson, and Josh Gad will lend their voices to the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film Me & My Shadow.  Per THR, the fantasy film stars as a bored shadow (Hader) who is tethered to a timid human (Gad), but gets the excitement he yearns for when a crime in the shadow community propels them into adventure to stop a shadowy villain from taking over the human world.  Hudson will voice Grubb’s love interest in the real-world.

When we reported on the film back in December 2010, Mark Dindal (The Emperor’s New Groove) was set to direct, but he’s been replaced by How to Train Your Dragon‘s head of story, Alessandro Carloni, who will make his directing debut on Shadow.  The film will blend CGI animation (the human world) with hand-drawn animation (the shadow world), and I’m excited to see the result.  Me & My Shadow is due out November 13, 2013.

Final Trailer and Poster for PUSS IN BOOTS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 7:29 am

After getting bumped up from November 4th to October 28th, Puss in Boots now has a final trailer and poster.  While I didn’t even bother with Shrek Forever After, I’m getting pretty psyched for the spin-off.  The trailers have been funny and charming, the story looks fun (Puss goes off to find the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs), and there’s no cynical ogre and his irritating donkey sidekick in sight.  The new poster isn’t as good as the one with Puss walking away from an explosion, but it gets the job done.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer (which still says the movie is coming out November 4th, but they clearly cut it before the date was changed) and poster.  The film features the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Serdaris, and Billy Bob Thornton.

PUSS IN BOOTS Bumped up to October 28th

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 am

DreamWorks Animation has announced that they’re moving up the Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots from November 4th to October 29th.  While neither date has another family comedy set to open, November 4th had Tower Heist and that could have been a bit of a threat.  October 28th, on the other hand, has the period thriller Anonymous, the sci-fi flick In Time, and the Johnny Depp drama The Rum Diary .  While I think Puss in Boots would have won the November 4th weekend, it will probably have a larger slice of the pie on October 28th.

For those unfamiliar with the film beyond “The adorable and hilarious kitty from the Shrek films got his own movie,” hit the jump for the trailer and synopsis.  The film features the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Amy Sedaris.

BEE MOVIE Co-Director Simon Smith to Helm DreamWorks’ MADAGASCAR Penguins Spin-Off Movie

by Jason Barr    Posted: August 11th, 2011 at 3:10 pm

After co-directing 2007′s Bee Movie alongside Steve Hickner, Simon Smith is now riding solo on another DreamWorks Animation feature. Smith has been tapped to direct the studio’s Madagascar spin-off movie centering on the franchise’s ever-popular penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Private, and Rico. DreamWorks announced development on the project back in March when it handed over script duties to Megamind screenwriters Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons.

In spite of its recent progress, Heat Vision reports that the film isn’t expected to begin casting anytime in the near future. As for Smith, the director is quite familiar with DreamWorks properties having worked as the head of layout for Antz and Shrek as well as directing two video shorts entitled Far Far Away Idol and Megamind: The Button of Doom while working his way through the studio ranks. Megamind‘s Lara Breay will produce the spin-off pic.

Kevin Lima to Direct DreamWorks Animation’s Bollywood-Style Musical MONKEYS OF MUMBAI

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 20th, 2011 at 9:27 am

Director Kevin Lima, whose previous credits include Tarzan and 101 Dalmatians as well as the live-action fantasy Enchanted, has been tapped by DreamWorks Animation to helm their first Bollywood-style musical adventure Monkeys of Mumbai. Heat Vision reports that the plot is based on the Indian epic “Ramayana” which centers on a man who must rescue his wife from a demon king.

DreamWorks has assembled a top-notch behind-the-scenes team to do Bollywood right, with Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman working on the music alongside Stephen Schwartz (Broadway’s Wicked) who is penning the lyrics. In addition, Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges (Bend it Like Beckham) are writing the screenplay. I was charmed by Lima’s tongue-in-cheek Disney princess tale Enchanted, and DreamWorks seems to be going all-out to ensure that Monkeys of Mumbai is not to be missed.

Paramount Launching In-House Animation Division

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 6th, 2011 at 1:39 pm

Rather than rely on an outside studio to develop their animated fare, Paramount Pictures is launching their own in-house animation division.  The studio had tremendous success earlier this year with Gore Verbinski’s Rango, the first fully-owned CGI animated movie for Paramount and one that grossed more than $240 million worldwide. Paramount had previously been relying on DreamWorks Animation, but that contract expires at the end of 2012.  THR reports that Paramount has offered DWA head Jeffrey Katzenberg a one-year extension at the same terms.  Beyond that, they would like to renegotiate the terms to be more favorable for Paramount and having an in-house animation studio could improve their bargaining position.

The budgets for the animated projects will hover in the $100 million per picture range and the studio hopes to develop a broad range of CGI animated family films.  Paramount would like to have their first animated film out by 2014.  The studio is already in development on an adaptation of the Penny Arcade comic New Kid.

Storyboarding Underway for HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 2nd, 2011 at 9:45 pm

The sequel to How to Train Your Dragon has over three years to plan for its June 20, 2014 release.  To match the heartwarming excellence of the original, DreamWorks Animation is going to enter into production right about… now.  Writer/director Dean DeBlois spoke a the dedication of USC’s new Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Center for Animation recently, and informed the audience that several drafts of the script have been completed and the filmmakers have just begun the storyboarding process.

Jay Baruchel, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, and Gerard Butler are all set to reprise their roles from the first movie.  Hit the jump for more on How to Train Your Dragon 2, including plot details and its place in a planned trilogy.

Director Jennifer Yuh Video Interview KUNG FU PANDA 2

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: May 24th, 2011 at 9:21 am

With Kung Fu Panda 2 opening this weekend, I recently got to interview director Jennifer Yuh for our partners at Omelete.  While some sequels spend a lot of time reminding the audience who the characters are, one of the many things that’s great about Kung Fu Panda 2 is that it starts like you know the world and the people and it never slows down.  In addition, while I’ve been very vocal about bad 3D, Kung Fu Panda 2 features some incredible 3D shots and the best part is that the filmmakers have used 3D to help tell the story.  If you have the option, you really want to see this in 3D.

During my interview with Yuh, we talked about if the script and story changed as they were making the film, the great use of 3D, how the story is darker than I expected, did the fact that they’re going to make a 3rd Kung Fu Panda cause them to adjust the story, and a lot more.  Hit the jump to check it out.

First Look at PUSS IN BOOTS’ Kitty Softpaws (Voiced by Salma Hayek)

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 5th, 2011 at 12:23 pm

This year’s Cannes has a hilarious juxtaposition of acting roles when it comes to Antonio Banderas.  He’s starring in Pedro Almodovar’s creepy-looking The Skin That I Inhabit where he plays a plastic surgeon who avenges his daughter’s rape.  However, he’ll also be making the press rounds for DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots, which is making a presentation at the festival.  If you’re a reporter covering both press events, don’t specify which movie you’re asking Banderas about and let the chips fall where they may.

In advance of the film’s presentation, the first image of Puss’ love interest Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek) has been released.  Kitty is a cat burglar who steals Puss’ boots and his heart.  Hit the jump for more details on the film and to check out the image.  Puss in Boots opens in 3D on November 4th.

Ryan Reynolds in Talks to Voice World’s Fastest Snail in DreamWorks Animation’s TURBO

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 31st, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Ryan Reynolds is a busy man — his schedule is currently mapped out clear into 2014. In the next few years, Reynolds will portray characters in three comic book adaptations (Green Lantern, R.I.P.D. and Deadpool) and voice a character in the DreamWorks Animation flick The Croods. DreamWorks must have liked working with Reynolds as Variety reports the studio is in final talks with the Green Lantern star to voice Turbo, the world’s fastest snail.

David Soren (Merry Madagascar) will direct from a script he co-wrote with Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After).  Turbo is schedule for release on June 7, 2013.  Hit the jump for the full synopsis for Turbo.

DreamWorks Animation Developing Spin-Off Movie Featuring MADAGASCAR Penguins

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm

It’s not enough that DreamWorks Animation has to franchise their properties to death with sequels.  They also need spin-offs.  The Shrek franchise isn’t really over because we’re getting Puss in Boots at the end of the year, and while Madagascar 3 is lined up for next summer, the studio is already at work spinning off the series’ best feature: the penguins.

THR reports that the paramilitary penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Private, and Rico are getting their own film.  Megamind screenwriters Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons will write the script.  The film currently has no release date or director, but since it usually takes about four years for an animated film to go from announcement to completion, don’t expect the spin-off any time soon.  If you can’t wait, the characters also star in the CGI-animated TV show The Penguins of Madagascar on Nickelodeon.  The show is currently in its second season.

DreamWorks Animation 2011 Preview: KUNG FU PANDA 2 and PUSS IN BOOTS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 12th, 2011 at 10:03 am

Yesterday I attended a DreamWorks Animation 2011 preview at the DGA in Los Angeles.  With the company getting ready to release Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots later this year, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg took the stage and showed the assembled press the first 45 minutes of Kung Fu Panda 2, and then the first 13 minutes of Puss In Boots.   In between the footage, we got to hear Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh, Jack Black, Antonio Banderas, Puss In Boots director Chris Miller, and Guillermo del Toro talk about their films.  Did you know del Toro is very involved in Puss In Boots?  He’s also executive producing Rise of the Guardians for the studio and helping out on all their animated movies.  Needless to say, this is very good news.

Anyway, shortly after the presentation ended, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and our thoughts on the footage and what we learned are after the jump.  And if you missed my article detailing all the DreamWorks Animation movies through 2014, you can check it out here.

KUNG FU PANDA 2 New Character Posters

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 9th, 2011 at 4:13 pm

DreamWorks Animation has released a few new posters for their upcoming Kung Fu Panda 2 which reveal a couple new characters. This time around, Po, now a Dragon Warrior, must team up with the Furious Five against a formidable opponent who wields a secret weapon that’s impervious to kung fu. A couple days ago, a new trailer and poster for the flick hit the web and now these new posters reveal the lead villain Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), The Soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh), Shen’s right hand man Wolf Boss, and Shen’s army of gorillas.

Hit the jump to check out the posters.  Kung Fu Panda 2 features the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Victor Garber.  It opens in 3D on May 26th.

DreamWorks Animation Announces Schedule Through 2014; Includes Release Dates and Synopses

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 8th, 2011 at 10:07 am

DreamWorks Animation has announced their schedule through 2014 and it’s loaded with both original projects and sequels.  As far as sequels, the studio has three planned and they include Kung Fu Panda 2, Madagascar 3 and How to Train Your Dragon 2.  While I’m very excited for a sequel to How to Train Your Dragon, some of their upcoming original projects also sound great.  The two that immediately stand out are Me and My Shadow (which will combine both CG and traditional animation) and director Rob Minkoff’s Mr. Peabody & Sherman - which is based on Jay Ward’s classic cartoon and will feature the voice of Robert Downey Jr.!  Here’s the release schedule:

• Kung Fu Panda 2 - May 26, 2011
• Puss In Boots - November 4, 2011
• Madagascar 3 - June 8, 2012
• Rise of the Guardians - November 21, 2012
• The Croods - March 1, 2013
• Turbo - June 7, 2013
• Me and My Shadow - November 8, 2013
• Mr. Peabody & Sherman - March 21, 2014
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 - June 20, 2014

Hit the jump for the synopses:

New Poster and Trailer for KUNG FU PANDA 2

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 4th, 2011 at 11:51 am

Along with the teaser trailer and poster for Puss in Boots, DreamWorks Animation has released a new trailer and poster for their summer tentpole, Kung Fu Panda 2.  The new trailer for Kung Fu Panda kind of explains the plot, but also shows there really isn’t much of it: Po and the Furious Five go on a road trip to defeat a new villain.  Granted, Po is now a Kung Fu master, but that only seems to improve the movie in terms of the visuals.  As far as the humor and the characters, expect more slapstick and fat jokes.

Hit the jump to check out the new trailer and poster.  Kung Fu Panda 2 features the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Victor Garber.  It opens in 3D on May 26th.

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