LATEST NEWS

Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Future Film Slate Through 2016

by Ethan Anderton
September 10, 2012

Every year we get an update from DreamWorks Animation on their future release slate for the next few years (since these animated films take a long time to finish). Now 20th Century Fox, the new home for the animation house, has unveiled the release slate up through 2016. The line-up includes films we've already caught a glimpse of like The Croods with Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds, Turbo (which also features the Green Lantern star), Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Me an My Shadow. In addition, there's some new information on the project formerly known as Boo U starring Seth Rogen and much more. More below!

Bill Damaschke, DreamWorks Animation's Chief Creative Officer, "Every one of the movies in our lineup – whether it is an original film or a sequel to one of our beloved franchises – comes from the unique and special vision of our filmmakers, and we look forward to joining together with Fox to make them available to family audiences starting next year." So without further adieu, here's the release slate:

The Croods (March 22, 2013) - It is being written and directed by Academy Award nominee Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon) and Kirk DeMicco (Space Chimps) and produced by Kristine Belson (How to Train Your Dragon) and Jane Hartwell (Shrek). The film stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke, and Cloris Leachman. When their cave is destroyed, the Crood family is forced to embark on an epic adventure into a pre-historic world in search of a new home. With the help of a brash, know-it-all nomad named Guy, the Croods learn to conquer their fears and discover what it takes to survive – each other.

Turbo (July 19, 2013) - It is based on an original idea by David Soren ("Merry Madagascar"), who is directing the film. It is produced by Lisa Stewart (Monsters vs. Aliens). Soren is writing the script with Robert Siegel (The Wrestler) and Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After). The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Pena, Luis Guzmán, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Kurtwood Smith, Snoop Lion and Samuel L. Jackson. Turbo is the story of a garden snail with an impossible dream: to win the Indy 500. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make this dream come true.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (November 1, 2013) - It is directed by Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, The Lion King) and produced by Alex Schwartz (Journey to the Center of the Earth, Bridge to Terabithia) and Denise Cascino (Megamind, Shrek the Third). Bullwinkle Studios' Tiffany Ward and Classic Media's Eric Ellenbogen are executive producers, along with Jason Clark (Monster House, Stuart Little). It is being written by Craig Wright ("United States of Tara," "Six Feet Under"). The film stars Emmy Award winner Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Stephen Colbert, Emmy Award winner Allison Janney, Ariel Winter and Stephen Tobolowsky. Based on Jay Ward's classic cartoon, Mr. Peabody is the world's smartest person who happens to be a dog. When his "pet" boy Sherman uses their time traveling WABAC machine without permission, events in history spiral out of control to disastrous and comical results.

Me and My Shadow (March 14, 2014) - The studio will pioneer a groundbreaking combination of CG and traditional animation techniques seamlessly together throughout the film. Animation veteran Alessandro Carloni (How to Train Your Dragon) will make his directorial debut and Melissa Cobb (Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2) will produce. Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart) are writing the screenplay. The film stars Josh Gad, Bill Hader and Kate Hudson. Dan, our hero's shadow, yearns for a more exciting life but happens to be stuck with Daniel Grubb, a timid guy with an aversion to adventure. When both of their lives are put in danger, Dan is forced to take control of Daniel, commencing a madcap adventure in which they both learn the meaning of true friendship.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 3 - (June 20, 2014 and June 18, 2016) - Both are being directed and written by Dean DeBlois (How to Train Your Dragon) and produced by Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon). DeBlois and Chris Sanders (The Croods, How to Train Your Dragon) are serving as executive producers. Also inspired by the book series by Cressida Cowell, the sequels will again star Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller and Kristen Wiig.

Happy Smekday! (November 26, 2014) - Based on the critically acclaimed book "The True Meaning of Smekday" by Adam Rex, it is directed by Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge, Antz) and produced by Chris Jenkins (Surf's Up) and Suzanne Buirgy (Kung Fu Panda 2). The screenplay is being written by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart). The film stars Jim Parsons and Rihanna. When the galaxy's most annoyingly optimistic alien finds himself on the run from his own alien race, he's forced to team up with a fiercely stubborn teenage girl. Together they become the most unlikely fugitives ever to save the planet.

The Penguins of Madagascar (March 27, 2015) - Featuring the beloved penguins from DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar franchise it is directed by Simon J. Smith (Bee Movie) and produced by Lara Breay (Megamind). It is being written by Michael Colton and John Aboud. Executive producers include Mireille Soria, Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell (Madagascar series).

Trolls (working title, June 5, 2015) - Inspired by the mythology behind the wildly popular Troll dolls, it is directed by Anand Tucker (Leap Year) and produced by Gina Shay (Shrek Forever After). Aron Warner (Shrek films) is serving as executive producer, alongside Andrew Adamson (Shrek series, "The Chronicles of Narnia" series) and Dannie Festa. The screenplay is being written by Wallace Wollodarsky and Maya Forbes (Monsters vs. Aliens). The film stars Jason Schwartzman and Chole Moretz.

B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations (November 6, 2015) - In which DreamWorks Animation will bring you ghosts as you've never seen them before, the film is based on an original idea by Tony Leondis (Igor), who is directing the film. It is produced by Maryann Garger (Flushed Away) and the screenplay is being written by Tom Wheeler (Puss in Boots). The film stars Seth Rogen.

Mumbai Musical (working title, December 19, 2015) - The studio's first-ever Bollywood-style animated musical adventure inspired by the great Indian epic tale of The Ramayana but told from the point of view of the monkeys. Kevin Lima (Enchanted, Tarzan) is directing and Lisa Stewart (Turbo, Monsters vs. Aliens) and Chris Chase (Enchanted, Tarzan) are producing. Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," Prince of Egypt, Enchanted) is writing the lyrics, A.R. Rahman (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, Bombay Dreams) is writing the music, and both are executive producers on the film. It is being written by David Sussman.

Kung Fu Panda 3 (March 18, 2016) - Filmmakers returning for the third installment of the franchise include director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb and writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Guillermo del Toro will serve as executive producer.

Personally, I'm most interested in the original idea B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations and also seeing where Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon are going with their sequels. Hopefully Fox knows what they're doing with their new animation studio, and DreamWorks will continue to find success, and maybe even move closer to Pixar's scale of greatness.

Tweet

Find more posts: Development, Movie News

7 Comments

New comments are no longer allowed on this post.