Wednesday, April 10, 2013

DreamWorks Animation Packs A Powerful Punch With New Cast Additions For "Kung Fu Panda 3"

The American animation studio DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. has announced the "Kung Fu Panda" news in the following press release, from PRNewswire, that "Pandamonium" is back for a triple kick with a trio of new cast members in DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.'s upcoming "Kung Fu Panda" sequel, "Kung Fu Panda 3", which will be distributed by 20th Century Fox. Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad", "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted"), Mads Mikkelsen ("Hannibal", "Casino Royale") and Rebel Wilson ("Pitch Perfect", "Bridesmaids") join Jack Black , Angelina Jolie and other original cast members in the third installment of the beloved action-packed franchise. The film, slated for Wednesday December 23, 2015, marks the first planned co-production with China based Oriental DreamWorks and follows Po, the chosen one, as he continues on his journey mastering the art of Kung Fu... and noodle slurping.

Continuing on his now legendary adventures of awesomeness, Po must face two hugely epic, but very different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to home. This chapter in the continuing adventures of "Kung Fu Panda" is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who also helmed the worldwide hit "Kung Fu Panda 2" and remains the highest grossing female director for a film at the worldwide box office. The film is produced by Melissa Cobb, executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and co-produced by Jeffrey Hermann along with Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who wrote and co-produced the original films and continue in these roles:
DreamWorks Animation Packs A Powerful Punch With New Cast Additions For Kung Fu Panda 3

Bryan Cranston, Mads Mikkelsen and Rebel Wilson Join Original Cast Members for Third Installment of Beloved Franchise in Theaters December 23, 2015

GLENDALE, Calif., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- "Pandamonium" is back for a triple kick with a trio of new cast members in DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: DWA) Kung Fu Panda 3 which will be distributed by 20th Century Fox. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal, Casino Royale) and Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids) join Jack Black , Angelina Jolie and other original cast members in the third installment of the beloved action-packed franchise. The film, slated for December 23, 2015, marks the first planned co-production with China based Oriental DreamWorks and follows Po, the chosen one, as he continues on his journey mastering the art of Kung Fu… and noodle slurping.

Continuing on his now legendary adventures of awesomeness, Po must face two hugely epic, but very different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to home. This chapter in the continuing adventures of Kung Fu Panda is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson , who also helmed the worldwide hit Kung Fu Panda 2 and remains the highest grossing female director for a film at the worldwide box office. The film is produced by Melissa Cobb , executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and co-produced by Jeffrey Hermann along with Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger , who wrote and co-produced the original films and continue in these roles.

"Having the wonderful Jennifer Yuh Nelson return as director is incredibly exciting for the studio. Under her guidance I have no doubt that our returning cast and our outstanding new voice talent will take the franchise's story to the next level," said DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke .

The first two chapters of DreamWorks Animation's critically acclaimed Kung Fu Panda franchise opened in 2008 and 2011. Both films were honored with Academy Award® nominations for Best Animated Feature Film. Together, they have generated approximately $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office. DreamWorks' highly-rated CG animated television series Kung Fu Panda : Legends of Awesomeness debuted on Nickelodeon in 2011 and has won four Daytime Emmy® Awards.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 26 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda , How to Train Your Dragon and Puss In Boots.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

France's Moonscoop Productions To Showcase Nickelodeon's Brand New CGI-Animated Preschool Series "Lalaloopsy" At MIPTV 2013

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the Nickelodeon News that France's Moonscoop Productions will be attending MIPTV 2013, the annual Spring television market that gathers the entire ecosystem of TV & online content to make deals, to be inspired and to forge new partnerships, which is being held in Cannes, France, where the production and distribution company will showcase "Lalaloopsy", their brand new CGI-animated preschool series co-produced with Nickelodeon and MGA Entertainment that's based on MGA's popular doll brand of the same name, which debuted on Nick USA in March 2013:
Moonscoop takes swing at cricket toon

MIPTV: France’s Moonscoop is here with two new cartoons, one featuring Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and the other based on a popular toy doll.

Master Blasters (26x22′) features Tendulkar voicing an animated version of himself, and is being produced by Moonscoop and the UK arm of India’s Shemaroo Entertainment.

“With his incredible popularity in the half the world where cricket is a passion, Sachin and Master Blaster will break international boundaries,” said Mike Young, CEO of Moonscoop.

“Cricket runs in the blood of every Indian and we are sure this highly entertaining series will introduce it to non-cricketing countries,” added Smita Maroo, VP at Shemaroo.

Moonscoop is launching the show in Cannes, alongside Lalaloopsy (52x22′), a series made with MGA Entertainment and Nickelodeon based on MGA’s doll brand of the same name.

Debuting on the kidcaster in the US last month, the series “captures the charm and spirit of the adored Lalaloopsy dolls,” said US-based Moonscoop president Liz Young.

Last month, Moonscoop licensed new series Code Lyoko Evolution to RTBF in Belgium, Cineplex in Thailand, Canal Panda in Portugal, Canal+ in Poland, Noga in Israel, Prava I Prevodi in ex-Yugoslavia, DPI in Russia and MTV in Finland.

Ed Waller
09-04-2013
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Code Lyoko Evolution, Lalaloopsy, Master Blasters
PEOPLE: Mike Young, Sachin Tendulkar, Smita Maroo
COMPANIES: Canal Panda, Canal+, Cineplex, DPI, MGA Entertainment, Moonscoop, MTV, Nickelodeon, Noga, Prava I Prevodi, RTBF, Shemaroo
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: Belgium, Israel, Poland, Russia, Thailand

Denmark's TV 2 Acquires Broadcast Rights To Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" At MIPTV 2013

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the Nickelodeon News that the Danish publicly owned television station TV 2 has picked up the TV broadcast rights to Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-Animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series. Preben Vridstoft, who is the executive producer/commissioning editor for Denmark's TV 2, acquired the rights to Nick's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot for the channel on Monday 8th April 2013 while attending MIPTV 2013, which is being held in Cannes, France. In an interview with C21Media, Preben Vridstoft mentioned that TV2 has had "Ninja Turtles" ever since the original series in the 1980s:
[...] TV2 children's programming acquisitions executive Preben Vridstoft picked up rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot from Nickelodeon here in Cannes on Monday and is seeking more. “TV2 has had Ninja Turtles ever since the 1980s, when it first came out,[...]
You can read the Nick News article, titled "TV2 overhauls kids’ strategy", in full here on the official C21Media website, c21media.net (paid subscription required).

International Children's Channel KidsCo Acquires TV Broadcast Rights To "Matt Hatter Chronicles"; Airlines British Airways And United Emirates Pick Up Rights For Kids In-Flight Entertainment Services

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen is reporting the animation news that the international children's channel KidsCo has partnered with Platinum Films to bring the animated boys' action series "Matt Hatter Chronicles" to the networks recently announced Syfy Kids block.

Produced by Platinum Films and Toronto, Canada's Dream Mill and animated by Arc Productions, Matt Hatter Chronicles combines animation, buddy humor and digital content. Season one will premiere on Syfy Kids across Central and Eastern Europe, fully dubbed, as the block rolls out internationally throughout 2013. The show also airs on Nickelodeon channels and networks around the world (Planet Nickelodeon), including Nick UK's action channel, NickToons UK and Ireland, and Nickelodeon Australia & New Zealand.

Syfy Kids is set to launch exclusively on KidsCo in Central and Eastern Europe in June. It will air at peak viewing times and feature a new graphics package and local dubbing.

Kidscreen is also reporting in a separate article that the airlines British Airways and United Emirates have followed suit and have picked up the rights to "Matt Hatter Chronicles" to freshen up their Spring/Summer in-flight entertainment packages. Working with in-flight entertainment specialist Spafax, Platinum sold Emirates a Matt Hatter branded block that will be available on-board starting next month. BA, meanwhile, will showcase Matt Hatter in its upcoming July Kids TV offering. Spafax, which also does business with Virgin, Air Canada, Qantas and American Airlines, says it plans to extend the global in-flight footprint of the Matt Hatter brand in the coming months:
KidsCo takes Matt Hatter Chronicles for Syfy Kids


International children’s’ channel KidsCo has partnered with Platinum Films to bring the CG-animated series Matt Hatter Chronicles to its recently announced Syfy Kids block.

Produced by Platinum Films and Toronto, Canada’s Dream Mill and animated by Arc Productions, Matt Hatter Chronicles combines animation, buddy humor and digital content. Season one will premiere on Syfy Kids across Central and Eastern Europe, fully dubbed, as the block rolls out internationally throughout 2013.

Syfy Kids is set to launch exclusively on KidsCo in Central and Eastern Europe in June. It will air at peak viewing times and feature a new graphics package and local dubbing.

Tags: Arc Productions, Dream Mill, KidsCo, Matt Hatter Chronicles, Platinum Film, Syfy Kids
And:
Matt Hatter goes on an in-flight binge


It looks like Matt Hatter Chronicles will be flying the friendly skies this spring/summer, thanks to a pair of deals secured by the show’s UK-based co-creator, Platinum Films. KidsCo recently picked up the boys series for its Syfy Kids block, and now British Airways and United Emirates have followed suit to freshen up their in-flight entertainment packages.

Working with in-flight entertainment specialist Spafax, Platinum sold Emirates a Matt Hatter branded block that will be available on-board starting next month. BA, meanwhile, will showcase Matt Hatter in its upcoming July Kids TV offering.

Spafax, which also does business with Virgin, Air Canada, Qantas and American Airlines, says it plans to extend the global in-flight footprint of the Matt Hatter brand in the coming months.

The series has already gone to global broadcasters including RTVE’s Clan TV (Spain), Canal Panda (Portugal and Spain), TELETOON Canada, Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand) and Network Ten (Australia), and it has also spawned a growing licensing program. Produced by Platinum Films and Toronto’s Dream Mill, and animated by Arc Productions, it follows the adventures of a 13-year-old schoolboy whose life is changed forever when he discovers that his family defends a gateway to a different dimension called the Multiverse.

Tags: British Airways, Matt Hatter Chronicles, Platinum Films, United Emirates

Nickelodeon USA Announces Plans To Release "The Legend Of Korra Book One: Air" On DVD And Blu-Ray On Tuesday 16th July 2013

UPDATE - Sunday 5th May 2013 - The entertainment news website IGN is reporting that Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution has announced the very exciting Nickelodeon News that NHE & PHMD have decided to release the first chapter of Nickelodeon's original animated series (Nicktoon) "Legend of Korra", "The Legend of Korra Book One: Air", on DVD and on high definition (HD) Blu-Ray disc (BD) in North America (region 1) a week earlier than was first announced! Nick and Paramount will now release "Legend of Korra", "The Legend of Korra Book One: Air" on DVD and Blu-Ray disc (BD) on Tuesday 9th July 2013. You can find the full information here on NickALive!.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and/or Facebook for the latest The Legend of Korra News!

The entertainment news website IGN is reporting in the following article that Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution has announced the very exciting Nickelodeon News that NHE & PHMD will start to release Nickelodeon's original animated series (Nicktoon) "The Legend of Korra", the popular sequel series to "Avatar: The Last Airbender", on DVD and on high definition (HD) Blu-Ray, starting with the shows first chapter, called "The Legend of Korra Book One: Air", which will be released in North America (Region 1) on Tuesday 16th July 2013 and will feature all twelve episodes of the series so far.

The release of LoK on BD will mark the first TV series Nickelodeon has ever released on Blu-ray, and the Blu-ray will contain exclusive special features, including:

* Audio Commentaries from series creators, cast and crew for all 12 episodes.

* Series creators' Favorite Scenes: Eight Animatics

While there will be select audio commentaries on the DVD version, the Blu-ray version will be the only release to have commentaries for every single episode. There will also be an additional special feature that is available on both the DVD and Blu-ray:

* The Legend of Puppetbender Present "The Making of a Legend: The Untold Story" (original short)

"The Making of a Legend: The Untold Story" short features a comical look at the Korra characters, in puppet form, as they're interviewed about their adventures.

US "Legend of Korra" fans can pre-order "The Legend of Korra Book One: Air" now at the following link - http://j.mp/KorraBook1.

Amazon UK are planning to import "Legend of Korra Book One: Air" on Blu-Ray for British and Irish fans of "Legend of Korra", which you can sign up to be notified when you can purchase the BD disc here on amazon.co.uk.

As part of their article, IGN also unveiled the cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray releases of The Legend of Korra Book One: Air, which you can check out below:
The Legend of Korra Book One: Air - Exclusive Blu-Ray and DVD Release Date and Cover Art Reveal

Nickelodeon's first-ever TV series Blu-ray release includes exclusive special features.

The Legend of Korra made its big debut last year on Nickelodeon and IGN can now reveal details on the Book One DVD and Blu-Ray for the popular follow up series to Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Fans will be able to pick up The Legend of Korra Book One: Air on July 16th, 2013, which collects all twelve episodes of the series so far.

The Legend of Korra will mark the first TV series Nickelodeon has ever released on Blu-ray, and the Blu-ray will contain exclusive special features, including:

* Audio Commentaries from series creators, cast and crew for all 12 episodes.

* Series creators' Favorite Scenes: Eight Animatics

While there will be select audio commentaries on the DVD, the Blu-ray will be the only release to have commentaries on every single episode. There will also be an additional special feature that is available on both the DVD and Blu-ray:

* The Legend of Puppetbender Present “The Making of a Legend: The Untold Story” (original short)

“The Making of a Legend: The Untold Story” short features a comical look at the Korra characters, in puppet form, as they're interviewed about their adventures.

Fans can pre-order The Legend of Korra Book One: Air now at the following link - http://j.mp/KorraBook1 [direct link to the "The Legend of Korra - Book 1: Air" DVD and Blu-Ray disk product listings on the official Amazon USA website, Amazon.com].

IGN also has the debut of the cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray releases of The Legend of Korra Book One: Air, which you can check out below.

[Blu-Ray cover art]


[DVD cover art]


Seychelle Gabriel ("Asami") talks Korra Book Two with IGN: