IMAX Corp. and DreamWorks Animation SKG today announced an agreement to release MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA into IMAX theatres worldwide on Nov. 7, 2008. The agreement completes IMAX's integration into DreamWorks Animation's release strategy for the studio's next five theatrical releases from June 2008 to May 2010.
Under the terms of the agreement, MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA will be digitally re-mastered for The IMAX Experience and play for a special release in IMAX theatres, including select new IMAX Digital theatres, which will begin rolling out this summer.
IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler said, "The virtual elimination of film prints enables studios to release titles in a shorter window. This allows IMAX theatres to program more content, which we believe will translate into increased revenue for exhibitors and ultimately lead to accelerated growth of the IMAX network worldwide."
MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA joins four other DreamWorks Animation movies previously announced and slated for release in the IMAX format, including KUNG FU PANDA, which will be released on June 6, 2008, as well as the studio's first three 3-D titles, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (March 2009), HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (November 2009), and SHREK GOES FOURTH (May 2010).
In MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, all of the characters are back -- Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins. Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane -- sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just enough to make it to the wildest place of all -- the vast plains of Africa itself. Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer and Andy Richter all return to their original roles. The film is produced by Mireille Soria and Mark Swift and co-directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
