<em>Madagascar 3</em> to Premiere at Cannes

Paramount and DreamWorks’ Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is making its world premiere in Cannes, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter [1]. The animated feature is the first summer tentpole to stake a date on the schedule, and only the second film announced after festival opener Moonrise Kingdom from Wes Anderson.

On Wednesday in Los Angeles, DreamWorks Animation showed clips from its upcoming slate, including Madagascar 3, which is tailor-made for international audiences. The threequel finds the animals trying to get to New York from Africa, via Monte Carlo, London, Rome and the Swiss Alps.

The first clip shown Wednesday opened with the gang coming out of the sea and converging on Monte Carlo's famous casino. They are discovered in the middle of the casino, launching a panic and high-speed chase through the streets and air.

In addition to the return of Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer), moviegoers will be introduced to a new baddie, the ruthless police captain Dubois (Frances McDormand), along with the tiger Vitaly (Bryan Cranston), the seal Stefano (Martin Short) and the tiger Gia (Jessica Chastain).

Paramount and DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda made its world premiere at the festival in 2008. Combined, the first two Madagascar movies grossed more than $1.1 billion worldwide. Madagascar 3 is the first to be shot and released in 3D. The film will be released in the U.S. on June 8.