DreamWorks Animation announced plans to release a sequel to Kung Fu Panda on June 3, 2011. The stereoscopic 3-D followup is also expected to hit IMAX screens worldwide. Released over the summer, the first film grossed more than $626 million worldwide to become DreamWorks Animation’s most successful non-sequel to date. Jennifer Yuh Nelson, head of story on the first Kung Fu Panda, will direct the sequel from a script by returning scribes Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Melissa Cobb is producing.
The sequel will follow Po, the world’s biggest Kung Fu fan, as he continues his journey to fulfill an ancient prophesy while mastering the martial art. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and other original cast members will be back for another round of fast-paced action and rapid-fire comedy.
‘We are thrilled to reunite the creative team that made ‘Kung Fu Panda’ such a global success,” says DreamWorks Animation’s CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. “Because of their imaginative work, Po’s path to heroism proved popular with moviegoers of all ages around the world.’
Bill Damaschke, co-president of production and president of live theatrical, comments, ‘The story of Kung Fu Panda provided a great introduction to these characters and afforded wonderful opportunities to further expand on the world we created in ancient China. Quite simply, there’s more story to tell.’
Kung Fu Panda will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 9. The two-disc sets will include a new animated companion film titled Secrets of the Furious Five. Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman reprise their roles for the movie, which explores the origins of the Kung Fu masters idolized by Po.
