Katzenberg Wants More DreamWorks Sequels

Kung Fu Panda 2, Madagascar 3 Possibly In Development

Aug 14, 2008

Jeffrey Katzenberg says he wants to make more animated sequels like Kung Fu Panda 2 and Madagascar 3. But how many more?

By now it's no secret that DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg is all about developing properties that produce sequels. And now that Kung Fu Panda has made around $211,507,723 in domestic theatres (a hair ahead of Disney/Pixar's WALL-E, which has earned $211,332, 152), the DreamWorks Animation CEO is already considering the future adventures of Po, Shifu and the rest of the Furious Five.

"We've started conversations about (a possible Kung Fu Panda 2), and I think in the next 30 or 60 days, we'll be able to talk completely about that," Katzenberg told Reuters.

The tale of a clumsy panda (voiced by Jack Black) who must somehow find a way to become a martial arts master and defeat the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), Kung Fu Panda has now become the most successful DreamWorks Animation movie that doesn't have the word Shrek somewhere in the title.

Given that talk of a potential sequel started after Kung Fu Panda's first week in theatres, this announcement comes as no surprise. What's shocking is that, from the get-go, Katzenberg was hoping to make an astounding 5 further installments to the box office hit.

"There is a larger story here, of which this is the first chapter," the DreamWorks Animation CEO told AAP on June 11th. "In the same way Shrek had five chapters from the beginning, (Kung Fu Panda) has six."

Katzenberg is already talking sequel to DreamWorks Animation's other non-Shrek hit: 2005's Madagascar. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa will make its theatrical bow on November 7th, and the DreamWorks CEO is thinking of a third flick . . . or maybe even a fourth.

Calling Escape 2 Africa the "second chapter in one story," Katzenberg told the Hollywood Reporter, "there is at least one more chapter. We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York."

Unfortunately, any further Madagascar movies will have to do without the voice talents of Bernie Mac, who died last weekend from complications from pneumonia. The late actor/comedian voices the role of Zuba, father of Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) in the new movie.

"Somebody you spend time with and get to know becomes a part of your family," Katzenberg said about Mac. "And to have a sudden loss like this, it has been really, really hard on all of us . . . Every day we are animating, and every day we are living with the creative contribution he made. We loved Bernie, and there is a heart and a soulfulness that he brought to the role of Zuba."

DreamWorks Animation Staying With Paramount?

Unlike DreamWorks chums Steven Spielberg and David Geffen (the 'SKG' in 'DreamWorks SKG' is taken from their initials), Katzenberg is happy with the studio's relationship with Paramount Pictures, and has no plans to take his studio to another distributor.

"For DreamWorks Animation, we are in great shape, happily ensconced in our distribution relationship with Paramount," Katzenberg told Reuters, "so no changes for us."

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Aug 25, 2008 1:17 AM

Guest :

The only one dreamworks animated film loved by me is Shrek 1. Most of dreamworks animated film i found are flat and lifeless. So far away from Pixar quality. I like the 'artist approach' in making animation in pixar, than 'business approach' in dreamworks animation. It so different when the founder who running the production studio is an artist, like John Lasseter, than a businessman like Katzenberg. art house or industry machine.