Jeffrey Katzenberg has announced the line-up for DreamWorks Animation through 2012 today. The studio plans to release five feature films every two years, which is a step up from their two films per year previous release schedule. They will release one or two sequels every year along with an original project. “We now have three very successful franchises, but we also want to tell new stories,” Bill Damaschke says. I’m glad they want to tell new stories and not just rehash the same crap again, but let’s continue. In addition to some title changes and casting announcements, the studio has announced five original projects today.
[b How to Train Your Dragon – March 26th, 2010 – Written and directed by Chris Sanders and Den DeBlois. Voices includes Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera and Johan Hill. Set in the world of Vikings and dragons, it centers on an awkward teen who befriends an injured dragon.[/b
Shrek Forever After – May 21st, 2010 – Previously titled Shrek Goes Fourth. Directed by Mike Mitchell. The further adventures of the giant green ogre, Shrek, living in the land of Far, Far Away.
Oobermind – November 5th, 2010 – Previously titled Master Mind. Directed by Tom McGrath. A satirical take on superhero movies, in which a notorious villain loses his oomph after he accidentally kills his nemesis Metro Man. Voice talent includes Robert Downey Jr. and Tina Fey.
Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom – June 3rd, 2011 – Previously titled Kung Fu Panda 2. Longtime story executive Jennifer Yuh Nelson makes her feature directorial debut with this. The continuing adventures of Po, the Kung Fu panda. Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman will reprise their roles.
The Guardians – November 4th, 2011 – Based on a not-yet-published book series from author William Joyce, whose work has previously inspired Disney’s Meet the Robinsons. Jeff Lynch is attached to direct the film, which unites characters every child knows – Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman – to defend the world from a Bogeyman-like villain.
Puss in Boots – March 30th, 2012 – Shrek the Third helmer Chris Miller will direct. Imagines the events before the character’s appearance in Shrek 2, while introducing all-new characters. Antonio Banderas returns as Puss and Salma Hayek will lend her voice to love interest Kitty.
Madagascar 3 – May 27th, 2012 – Madagascar helmer Eric Darnell will direct. The story in this will relocate the four friends from Africa to Europe via a traveling circus.
Katzenberg will choose just one of the following three projects for its November of 2012 release slot.
The Croods – Directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco. Previously an Aardman Animations collaboration known as Crood Awakening. A comedy set in the Stone Age about a caveman named Crood whose status in the village is threatened by the arrival of a prehistoric genius who comes up with revolutionary new inventions.
Truckers – Derived from the first book in Terry Pratchett’s The Bromeliad Trilogy. Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy is adapting. A story about the Nomes, a race of tiny people from another world who now struggle to survive hidden amongst humans in a department store.
Super Secret Ghost Project – Not much known about this project, except that it will “ask what ghosts think about humans.” Sounds a bit like Monsters Inc. maybe?
So there you have it, DreamWorks Animation’s line-up of eight features through 2012. I guess that means we won’t be seeing the Neil Gaiman-based Interworld movie or their Mr. Peabody & Sherman movie until at least 2013. I’ve heard that since they’ve been criticized for only ever making movies about animals, the studio is going to make a push for a few more human projects, like Oobermind and The Guardians. I’m interested in seeing How to Train Your Dragon and Oobermind, but the only one I’m genuinely excited for is Kung Fu Panda 2. DWA doesn’t have any other movies this year, but we’ll keep you updated anyway!