Dreamworks Animation Packs a Powerful Punch with Cast Additions for Kung Fu Panda 3

April 17, 2013 By

“Pandamonium” is back for a triple kick with a trio of new cast members in DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.’s Kung Fu Panda 3, which will be distributed by 20th Century Fox. Bryan Cranston, Mads Mikkelsen, and Rebel Wilson join Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and other original cast members in the third installment of the action-packed franchise.

The film, slated for December 23, 2015, marks the first planned co-production with China-based Oriental DreamWorks and follows Po, the chosen one, as he continues on his journey mastering the art of Kung Fu… and noodle slurping.

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Dreamworks Animation Acquires IP for Trolls with Plans to Take Iconic Dolls’ Brand (and Hair) to New Heights

April 12, 2013 By

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has acquired the IP for the Troll franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things of Denmark, with plans to introduce the brand to a new generation of fans around the world. DreamWorks has named American Girl veteran Shawn Dennis as head of brand development to cultivate this classic franchise.

The Troll doll phenomenon was born in 1959 when Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam, too poor to afford a Christmas present for his young daughter Lajla, carved a doll for her based on the legendary Scandinavian troll. The Trolls experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, and in 2003, the Toy Industry of America named Trolls on its list of 100 of the Century’s Most Treasured Toys.

DreamWorks Animation is now the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights for the classic Troll Dolls, with the sole exception of Scandanavia, the birthplace of the Trolls, where Dam Things will remain the licensor.

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Start Your Engines and Zip Around with Turbo

April 12, 2013 By

Turbo is a high-velocity 3-D comedy about an ordinary snail who dares to dream big and fast.

After a freak accident miraculously gives him the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks his dreaming into overdrive and embarks on an extraordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: competing in most famous auto race in the world. But not everyone thinks this mollusk has the muscle to make it to the winners circle, and it’s only with the help of his tricked-out streetwise snail crew that this ultimate underdog proves that no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.

Check out the movie trailer!

Mattel and DreamWorks Animation bring the story to life with toys capturing key movie moments and characters so kids can play out favorite scenes or create their own adventures.

For more information about Turbo, visit www.turbomovie.com. Check out the roundup of fun, new Turbo toys below!

  • Turbo Shell Racers Vehicles: Featuring character favorites from the movie, kids can be just like Turbo playing out their own adventures with snail racing speed. The collectible character two-packs feature racing action in “snail scale” size that make Turbo Shell Racers perfect for anytime, anywhere play. The complete set has more than a dozen snail characters for the ultimate race showdown.
  • Turbo Stunt Set Assortment: The action-packed Turbo Stunt Set assortment is the perfect place to park, race, and play with Turbo Shell Racers vehicles. The assortment includes two challenging sets that bring big movie moments to life in the playroom. The “Ring of Fire” set has a harrowing vertical loop that must be braved in order to launch through a ring of fire while the “Zip Line Stunt Race” set recreates a key competition scene in the film.

For more information on Mattel toys, visit http://mattelbrandsmedia.com.

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Commentary: Get the Party Started in The Croods: Prehistoric Party!

March 22, 2013 By

bat 0004 dvd o-sleeveThe Croods: Prehistoric Party!, inspired by the DreamWorks Animation animated film, The Croods, is now available for Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo DS.  The Croods premieres in North American theaters today.

A while back, I had the opportunity to check out The Croods: Prehistoric Party! at D3Publisher. Whether or not you’ve seen the movie, the Croods family is lovable and takes you on an adventure through dozens of mini-games. The game is fun for all ages and is great for family time or single play—the Wii U and Wii versions support up to four players.

Some of the games key features are highlighted below. For more information on The Croods: Prehistoric Party!, visit www.d3publisher.us. [Read more...]

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The Croods Make Prehistory with Mobile Game

March 5, 2013 By

Croods_Icon_LogoTake a step back in time…way back to the Croodaceous period where finding food is a family affair and you never know what crazy creatures lurk around the bend. Ahead of The Croods film release later this month, Rovio Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation will launch a new mobile game for iOS and Android, as well as an exclusive short animated clip. This all-new game finds the Croods breaking out of the Stone Age and hunting and gathering their way through new landscapes as they tame never-seen-before creatures.

The Croods will debut globally on iOS and Android on March 14h. Fans can check www.rovio.com/theCroods to see the exclusive teaser trailer and keep up to date on all the latest news.

The Croods, in theaters in 3-D on March 22, tells the story of the world’s first family road trip. When their cave is destroyed, the Crood family must embark on a comedy adventure into strange and spectacular territory in search of a new home. As if patriarch Grug didn’t already have enough to handle, it goes from bad to worse when they encounter an imaginative nomad named Guy. With Guy’s help the Croods conquer their fear of the outside world and discover that they have exactly what it takes to survive: each other.

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Spin Master, DreamWorks Animation Take Flight with Global Licensing Relationship for DreamWorks Dragons Franchise

February 20, 2013 By

Spin Master Ltd. and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. have entered into an exclusive licensing relationship. Spin Master will serve as the worldwide master toy licensee for the DreamWorks Dragons slate of upcoming franchise properties, which includes a television series and a sequel to the original film.

Spin Master previously served as master toy partner for How to Train Your Dragon, released globally in 2009, and this fall will debut a toy line inspired by last year’s debut of Cartoon Network’s DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, which features the original voice cast from the feature film.

Now kids everywhere will be able to step into the world of Vikings and dragons with a line of immersive and imaginative toys inspired by DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is set for release on July 20, 2014.

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Netflix, DreamWorks Animation Launch First Ever Netflix Original Series for Kids

February 18, 2013 By

Netflix Inc. and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. have announced that they will create the first ever Netflix Original Series for kids. Based on the DreamWorks Animation movie Turbo, premiering in theaters this summer, the Netflix series Turbo: F.A.S.T. (Fast Action Stunt Team) debuts exclusively this December in the U.S. and across the globe in the 40 countries where Netflix offers its service. [Read more...]

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Compete in a Survival of the Crood-Est in The Croods: Prehistoric Party!

January 2, 2013 By

D3Publisher (D3P) will bring the DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. animated film, The Croods, to Nintendo’s Wii U, Wii, 3DS, and DS systems.  The Croods: Prehistoric Party! will be available on March 19, to coincide with North American theatrical release of the film on March 22. [Read more...]

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DreamWorks Animation Agrees to Acquire Classic Media

July 30, 2012 By

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., has entered into an agreement to acquire Classic Media, owner of an extensive portfolio featuring many of the best-known and most-enduring franchises in family entertainment, for $155 million in cash from Boomerang Media Holdings I LLC, a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR.

With well-established titles such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where’s Waldo?, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, George of the Jungle, and Rocky & Bullwinkle, Classic Media’s properties have been a fixture in mainstream entertainment for decades.

Classic Media has approximately 80 employees and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in the UK and a division, Big Idea Entertainment, in Nashville, Tenn.

For the 12 months ending February 29, Classic Media earned net revenue of $82.2 million and operating profit of $19.2 million.

The acquisition of Classic Media will be financed through a combination of cash and borrowings under DreamWorks Animation’s revolving credit facility. The purchase price of $155 million includes amounts required to retire indebtedness.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. DreamWorks Animation expects that the transaction will be completed during the quarter ending September 30.

This post was originally written by Loren  Moreno and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

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Walmart and DreamWorks Team for “Dragon” Program

March 22, 2010 By

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. will port in Walmart stores nationwide as the two unveil an exclusive program for the studio’s feature film, How to Train Your Dragon, in theaters on March 26.

More than 2,500 Viking ships will sail into the stores, including one in the How to Train Your Dragon designated area in stores. The area will featuring more than 100 Dragon items for purchase, including licensed products from manufacturers such as Spin Master, Kraft, Kellogg, and Pepsi. The products will include dragon and Viking-themed toys such as foam swords and helmets, apparel, skateboards, hooded towels, sunglasses, and snacks. Walmart has also developed a How to Train Your Dragon activity book that will be found in Happy Meals at 1,000 McDonald’s locations in Walmart stores.

[Read more...]

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