Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar Sort Out Sequels
Paramount Pictures
Everybody loved Kung Fu fighting. Now those studio cats are working fast as lightning to get a sequel into production.
DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said that the animation giant has already begun talks to bring its family-friendly summer hit Kung Fu Panda, featuring the pipes of Jack Black and Angelina Jolie, back for a second go-round, though he cautioned that nothing had yet been set in stone.
"We've started conversations about it, and I think in the next 30 or 60 days, we'll be able to talk completely about that," Katzenberg told Reuters of his follow-up plans for the $560 million hit.
The studio honcho also dropped hints that another of its star-studded animation blockbusters, Madagascar, was set for another reprisal.
While the film's second incarnation, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, has already been completed and is due out Nov. 7, Katzenberg said the story of Central Park Zoo animals making their way back to the Big Apple had in it "at least one more chapter."
"We ultimately want to see the characters make it back to New York."
As it is, Madagascar, which grossed $530 million worldwide, served as the studio's biggest nonsequel hit ever until Kung Fu Panda delivered a swift high-kick to the record this summer.
As for the sequel, Madagascar 2's returning voice cast includes Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith, and also features the new addition of Bernie Mac, who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.
"It's been a very hard week," Katzenberg told the Hollywood Reporter. "We love Bernie. He made an amazing contribution to this movie."
The Big Picture
It's a Hard Rock Life Taylor hits the ubiquitous music-themed chain restaurant while seeing the sites in Manchester
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (915)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (676)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (446)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (430)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (422)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (357)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
- Ridiculous Twilight Hookups in an "All Taken" Cast (348)
Top 10 Stories
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
- End of a Weird Era: Jon & Kate Plus 8 Signs Off
- Timbaland Denies Dumping Chris Brown
- New Sweet Home for Khloé and Lamar
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...