Universal Studios has released the first trailer for the live-action adaptation of "How to Train Your Dragon," set to hit theaters on June 13. The film, directed by Dean DeBlois, features new actors including Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid, while Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast. The live-action version brings to life the beloved characters from the original animated trilogy, which grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.
DreamWorks Animation production workers, including production assistants, coordinators, and post production staff, have voted to join the Animation Guild and the Motion Picture Editors Guild, with about a dozen joining the Motion Picture Editors Guild due to their postproduction roles and the rest aligning with the Animation Guild. The move comes as part of a broader trend of unionization in the animation industry, with the Animation Guild now representing over 70% of production workers across major Hollywood studios and expressing a commitment to continue organizing until all work is covered.
Kung Fu Panda 4, featuring Jack Black as the voice of Po, is set to make around $55 million in its opening weekend, marking the second-best weekend opening for the franchise. The film surpassed Dune: Part Two by about $10 million, securing its place at the top of the box office.
"Kung Fu Panda 4" kicks off with a strong $19.4 million opening day, projected to reach $55 million for the weekend, benefiting from a lack of family movie competition. "Dune: Part Two" holds strong in second place, surpassing its predecessor's domestic gross. "Imaginary" opens to $3.6 million, while "Cabrini" and "Bob Marley: One Love" are projected to earn $7-8 million and $4.2 million respectively, rounding out the top five at the box office.
"Orion and The Dark" is a family-friendly animation based on a children's book, featuring a young boy named Orion who confronts his fears with the help of a personified darkness named Dark. Written by Charlie Kaufman, the film incorporates his signature existential dread and challenging concepts, making it a rare family-friendly movie bursting with big ideas. Despite its seemingly typical appearance, the film offers a unique blend of whimsy and introspection, reflecting Kaufman's distinctive style within the realm of children's entertainment.
The first trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 has been released, showcasing the return of Jack Black as Po and introducing new characters. The film follows Po as he prepares to pass on his Dragon Warrior role and become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. He must first train his successor, a fox named Zhen. The star-studded cast includes Awkwafina, Viola Davis, and Ke Huy Quan. Kung Fu Panda 4 is the first feature-length entry in the franchise since 2016 and is set to hit theaters on March 8, 2024.
The first trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 has been released, featuring the return of Jack Black as the voice of the Dragon Warrior panda, Po. Directed by Mike Mitchell, the film is set to be released on March 8 and will continue the popular franchise. The star-studded cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, Awkwafina, and Viola Davis. Kung Fu Panda 4 follows Po as he is called upon to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. The original 2008 film became DreamWorks Animation's highest-grossing original animated film, earning over $1.8 billion worldwide.
DreamWorks Animation is laying off approximately 70 employees as part of cost-cutting measures, with roles affected across various departments. The studio plans to rely more on third party studios and shift away from producing films fully in-house. Despite the layoffs, upcoming projects include the release of "Trolls Band Together" and collaborations with Netflix and Apple TV+ for animated series and films.
DreamWorks Animation has laid off approximately 70 employees across various departments as part of a cost-reduction effort. This comes as the studio prepares for the release of its upcoming film, Trolls Band Together. Earlier this year, the studio had a box office disappointment with Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, while the previous year's Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was a success. On the TV side, DWA's show Gabby's Dollhouse streams on Netflix.
DreamWorks Animation has announced layoffs, cutting approximately 4% of its staff due to the downturn in the business, rising production costs, and strikes. The studio hopes to rebound with the release of the third installment of the Trolls movie franchise, Trolls Band Together, featuring a reunion of *Nsync. DreamWorks Animation also has an upcoming animated feature, Orion and The Dark, set to be released on Netflix in 2024.
Universal Orlando has announced that the former KidZone section of Universal Studios Florida will be transformed into a new land based on DreamWorks Animation, featuring franchises like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. The new area will include themed play spaces, interactive attractions, and character meet-and-greets. Construction is underway, with a potential opening in Summer 2024. Rumors suggest that the land may include a Shrek-themed mini-land, a Trolls section with a rethemed coaster, and a Kung Fu Panda area. There are also rumors of interactive character experiences and purchasable wearables. Universal Orlando is also planning other entertainment experiences for 2024, including a new parade and nighttime show. Additionally, Universal is working on a separate Universal Kids amusement park in Frisco, Texas.
Universal Orlando Resort will introduce a new themed land called DreamWorks Land, featuring characters from DreamWorks Animation films such as Trolls, Shrek, and Kung Fu Panda. The park aims to provide immersive environments and interactive play spaces for guests of all ages, with more details to be announced soon.
Dreamworks Animation's film "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" has had the worst opening in the studio's history, earning only $5.2 million in its opening weekend. Despite positive audience feedback, the film's lack of marketing and focus on a lesser-known protagonist may have contributed to its underperformance. The disappointing box office results raise concerns about the industry's approach to female-led films and the need for more targeted storytelling. Meanwhile, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" continues to perform well, while "Elemental" shows signs of recovery after a weak start.
DreamWorks Animation's upcoming film "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" will be the studio's first female-led feature, presenting a unique twist on the coming-of-age/monster transformation narrative. The story follows Ruby, a teenage kraken living as a human in a small town, who discovers her true identity as a sea monster and becomes part of a clan of heroic female warriors protecting the Seven Seas. The film explores themes of mother-daughter relationships and friendship, while showcasing vibrant animation inspired by octopi and the work of Max Fleischer. "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" aims to offer a relatable and aspirational world for audiences.
