Madagascar Penguins on TV
DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon Team Up for 26 Episode Series
DreamWorks Animation and Nickelodeon have teamed up to bring a 26-episode TV series The Penguins of Madagascar. Series scheduled to air in early 2009.
After the success of Shrek the Halls (which aired on ABC last November), it wasn't surprising that DreamWorks Animation would pursue more animated television projects.
As far back as January, DreamWorks had hinted that they were pursuing a television series involving those paramilitary penguins from their 2005 film Madagascar. The tuxedoed trio essentially stole the movie right out from under the film's official stars, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Well those hints have become fact. DreamWorks and Nickelodeon are producing a 26-episode television series, tentatively titled The Penguins of Madagascar. The two companies hope to get this sucker airing on Nick by early 2009.
Only One Madgascar Voice Actor Returns For TV Series
Unlike Shrek the Halls, only original Madagascar voice actor Tom McGrath (as Skipper) will reprise his role for the television series. Jeff Bennett replaces Chris Miller as Kowalski, James Patrick Stuart subs for Christopher Knights as Private and John DiMaggio joins as Rico. Danny Jacobs takes over for Sasha Baron Cohen, playing Julien, King of the Lemurs.
Tom McGrath's vocal tones were essential for the role of Skipper. It's questionable whether the other voice actors will be missed in the new series.
The most controversial decision was to replace Sasha Baron Cohen as the voice of The Lemur King. However, considering how high Cohen's star has risen following the success of Borat and Talladega Nights, DreamWorks and Nickelodeon could be forgiven for deciding that they couldn't afford his current rates.
DreamWorks Animation's Official Announcement
Here's the press release from DreamWorks Animation.
Burbank, CA – December 10, 2007 – Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation, two of the world’s most prolific producers of television and feature film animation, today announced plans to join forces on a new, 26-episode, CG animated comedy series tentatively titled The Penguins of Madagascar, based on the beloved penguin brothers in DreamWorks Animation’s hit feature film, Madagascar ($532 million worldwide gross) and upcoming sequel, Madagascar: the Crate Escape. The series, which tells the story of a group of penguins who believes it leads an elite strike force from its Central Park Zoo headquarters, will be produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, California and is scheduled to premiere on Nick in early 2009.
“This is a partnership that brings together two creative-driven companies who share a belief that great characters and stories are the essential ingredients to success, whether it’s on the big or small screen,” said Cyma Zarghami, the president of Nickelodeon & MTV Networks Kids and Family Group. “The DreamWorks Animation team developed richly creative characters that lend themselves to a series of their own – they are just plain hysterical. We can’t wait to treat our audience to the same vibrant and vivid CG animation that audiences loved in the film.”
DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg commented, “Our Madagascar penguins were hugely popular on the big screen, so it seemed natural to give them their own television show on the premier entertainment network for kids. This is likely the first of many future projects aimed at establishing a meaningful presence for DreamWorks Animation properties on Nickelodeon, and we are thrilled to get this collaboration off the ground.”
The series will feature the all-new adventures of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private, four penguins who rule the roost at their Central Park Zoo home. While the brothers have their flippers full keeping their multi-species zoo neighborhood happy, at times their secret missions beckon them to venture out onto the busy streets of New York City. Just as the team thinks it has its urban acreage under control, a new neighbor moves in next door: Julien, King of the Lemurs, a party animal with an entourage and an overactive ego. Much to the penguins’ exasperation, King Julien and his friends are there to stay, proving once again that opposites do not attract.
The series will be executive produced by Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, (Disney’s Kim Possible, Disney’s Hercules, Sky High) and feature the voices of Tom McGrath as Skipper, Jeff Bennett as Kowalski, James Patrick Stuart as Private and John DiMaggio as Rico, with Danny Jacobs starring as Julien, King of the Lemurs.
