The story of the furry lazy panda that dreamed of becoming a
martial arts pro was such a great success this summer that DreamWorks Animation
feels encouraged to produce a sequel. We’re waiting for it!
Animated film “Kung Fu Panda” was released in early June to
great reviews from movie critics and great excitement from moviegoers. Directed
by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson, the film featured a stellar ensemble voice cast:
Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan,
Seth Rogen and David Cross.
Jack Black lent his vocal talents to the main character, a
great big panda named Po who lives in ancient China, resplendent in his laziness
and cuddliness. What is so very interesting about the very likeable Po is that
he wishes to trade his current job of making noodles in his adoptive father’s
noodle shop with being a venerable kung fu master.
Favorable circumstances bring him among the Furious Five -
Master Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Master Crane (David Cross), Master Monkey
(Jackie Chan), Master Viper (Lucy Liu), and Master Mantis (Seth Rogen), and in
the hands of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), who must train him.
The film was not only visually engaging, humorous and
tasteful, but it also had a moral that children could understand and parents
could appreciate.
“Kung Fu Panda” made its glorious debut at No. 1 at the
North American box office, earning $60.2 million on its opening weekend. It
has accumulated more than $600 million around the world.
It is only natural then that DreamWorks Animation announced
this week a sequel will be released in 2011, in 3D, on regular and Imax screens
worldwide. The sequel’s title will be “Pandamonium,” reports trade paper
Variety. It will be directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, head of story on “Kung Fu
Panda,” and Jack Black and Angelina Jolie have both already signed on. A great
part of the original team is in fact reuniting. Melissa Cobb will also produce
the sequel, while co-writers and co-producers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger
are also on board.
“Kung Fu Panda” will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov.
9.
The animated film came out amidst happy news. Its premiere
screening took place at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, with a then-pregnant
Angelina Jolie present for the ceremony. Co-star Jack Black gleefully revealed
that she and partner Brad Pitt would soon welcome twins into their family, a
rumor that had not yet been confirmed by the couple.
A week before that, Black himself welcomed a baby, his
second child with wife Tanya Harden.
Wouldn’t it be funny if the sequel is likewise accompanied
by baby news?
