Dreamworks unveils release dates for animated films through 2014

[Batman1980]

DreamWorks Animation made a major announcement this morning, unveiling a nine-movie lineup that takes the company through Summer 2014. This included five previously announced movies along with four additions, most notably a project featuring Robert Downey, Jr. and the sequel to How to Train Your Dragon.

The press release included previously announced release dates for Kung Fu Panda 2 (May 26, 2011), Puss in Boots (Nov. 4, 2011), Madagascar 3 (June 8, 2012) and Rise of the Guardians (Nov. 21, 2012). It also indicated that The Croods has been bumped from March 30, 2012 to March 1, 2013. Written and directed by Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon), the movie follows a caveman family that ventures out of their cave with the help of a resourceful newcomer. Featuring voice work from Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone and more, it's the second animated movie scheduled for March 2013 after Disney's Reboot Ralph.

Next up in DreamWorks' lineup is Turbo, which races in to theaters on June 7, 2013. Directed by Merry Madagascar's David Soren, the movie "tells the story of an ordinary garden snail with an impossible dream: to become the fastest snail in the world. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make this dream come true." Turbo is currently the only movie scheduled for June 2013.

Me and My Shadow was set for Nov. 8, 2013, which makes it the only movie officially announced for the second half of 2013. The movie features a shadow that gets bored with his existence and decides to take over his master. In a slight departure in style, Me and My Shadow will feature both computer and traditional animation.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman and How to Train Your Dragon 2 mark the first additions to the 2014 calendar. Mr. Peabody was scheduled for March 21, 2014. Based on a cartoon by Jay Ward and directed by The Lion King's Rob Minkoff, the story follows Mr. Peabody, a genius dog, and his "pet boy" attempting to save the world from time-traveling villains. Executive producer Robert Downey, Jr. will voice one of the lead characters (presumably the genius dog).

How to Train Your Dragon 2 will open June 20, 2014, or over four years after the original movie. The sequel will be written and directed by Dean DuBlois, who also worked on the first movie, and will bring back the entire voice cast including Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson and America Ferrera. After opening to $43.7 million last March, How to Train Your Dragon held on to earn $217.6 million, and it made an additional $277 million overseas.

DreamWorks Animation's announcement comes directly on the heels of Rango's solid albeit unspectacular opening. That movie was Paramount Pictures' first major computer-animated release not affiliated with DreamWorks Animation. Paramount's deal with DreamWorks currently expires at the end of 2012. For the 2013 and 2014 releases, it's currently assumed that Paramount will distribute under a renewed deal, though there is a chance DreamWorks Animation will take its business elsewhere.

Source - http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3109&p=.htm