MUMBAI: DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. is planning to release five feature films every two years, adding an additional film every other year to its existing two picture a year release schedule on a going-forward basis.
The company also announced its upcoming slate of animated feature film releases through 2012.
The company’s slate through 2012 now includes eight feature films from DreamWorks Animation’s team, including five original films and three sequels based on the company’s existing franchises like Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. As has been previously announced, all DreamWorks Animation feature films are now being produced in 3D.
"Our exceptionally talented and highly experienced creative team is bringing to DreamWorks Animation a significant number of imaginative, original and cutting-edge ideas today. Having achieved a high level of success and consistency in our creative process and having in our development pipeline more great story concepts than ever before, we are very confident in our ability to add one original film every other year," said DreamWorks Animation co-president of production and president of live theatrical Bill Damaschke.
The upcoming animated films on the Company’s future theatrical release schedule are currently planned as follows:
How to Train Your Dragon will be released on March 26, 2010. It is being written and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, produced by Bonnie Arnold and will star Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig and TJ Miller.
Shrek Forever After will be released on 21 May, 2010. It is being directed by Mike Mitchell and produced by Teresa Cheng and Gina Shay and will feature the original all-star cast, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas.
Oobermind (formerly titled Master Mind) will be released on 5 November, 2010. It is being directed by Tom McGrath, executive produced by Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld, produced by Lara Breay and Denise Nolan Cascino and will star Robert Downey Jr. and Tina Fey.
Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom will be released on 3 June, 2011. This will be directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, produced by Melissa Cobb and will feature the return of the original all-star cast, including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross.
The Guardians (working title), based on the forthcoming books by William Joyce, will be released on 4 November, 2011. It was brought to the company by William Joyce and Reel FX, and is being directed by Jeff Lynch in collaboration with William Joyce and produced by Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein.
Puss In Boots (working title) will be released on 30 March, 2012. It is being directed by Chris Miller, produced by Joe Aguilar and Michelle Raimo and executive produced by Andrew Adamson, and will star Antonio Banderas as Puss In Boots and Salma Hayek as Kitty, Puss’ love interest.
The next chapter of Madagascar is due to be released on 25 May, 2012. It is being directed by Eric Darnell and produced by Mireille Soria and Mark Swift.
On 2 November, 2012, the company plans to release one of three original projects currently in pre-production at the studio. The first is The Croods (working title), which is being directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco and produced by Kristine Belson and Jane Hartwell.
The second is Truckers (working title) based on The Bromeliad Trilogy by fantasy legend Terry Pratchett and written by Academy Award winning writer, Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire). The third is an as-yet-untitled Super Secret Ghost Project, in which DreamWorks Animation will bring you ghosts as you’ve never seen them before.
DreamWorks Animation COO Ann Daly said, "We are thrilled with our exciting line-up of feature projects. With so many promising original ideas and new franchise chapters in our pipeline, we believe this is the perfect time to share our theatrical plans for the next few years as we continue to lead the 3D charge and push creative boundaries to bring our stories to life."
