"How to Train Your Dragon" is Getting A Sequel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-27-2010, 10:54 PM

After a shaky start, "How to Train Your Dragon" has earned enough boxoffice coin to ensure that it becomes a multimedia franchise, with the next movie headed for screens in the second half of 2013, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said Tuesday.

Plus, there's a live arena show in the works, something akin to "Walking With Dinosaurs" that plays in venues like the Staples Center in Los Angeles and Allstate Arena in Chicago.

There's also a TV series in development and an online virtual world based on "Dragon."

"It's not where you start, it's where you finish," Katzenberg told analysts about "Dragon" during a conference call to discuss quarterly earnings.

"Dragon" is at $180 million domestic and on track to equal the boxoffice performance of "Kung Fu Panda," which took in $215 million domestically and is getting a somewhat similar franchise treatment.

"Panda," though, boasted a $60 million opening weekend compared to just $44 million for "Dragon," which cast doubt on a sequel. "It certainly had us a bit nervous," Katzenberg said.

Katzenberg said "Dragon" has such impressive legs at the boxoffice because it is DWA's best-reviewed film. It is in the "beloved category," he noted.

The CEO also talked up "Megamind," saying the Nov. 5 release starring Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell will do for the superhero genre what "Shrek" did for fairy tales.

He said "Scared Shrekless" is set as a Halloween special this year, and an unnamed "Panda" holiday special will run between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But don't call it a "Christmas" special.

"They don't have Christmas in China," Katzenberg quipped.

DWA posted $21.7 million in net income in the first quarter, down 65% because the studio lacked a big home video release in the quarter. Revenue fell 39% to $162.1 million.

"Dragon" contributed $59.7 million in revenue during the quarter, while last year's "Monsters vs. Aliens" was good for $24.6 million.

The 2008 releases, "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and "Panda," contributed $19.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively, while library titles were good for $52.9 million.

The results beat Wall Street expectations, and DWA stock was up fractionally in afterhours trading.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...1adc576662e10f

04-27-2010, 10:54 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	"How to Train Your Dragon" is Getting A Sequel After a shaky start, "How to Train Your Dragon" has earned enough boxoffice coin to ensure that it becomes a multimedia franchise, with the next movie headed for screens in the second half of 2013, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said Tuesday. Plus, there's a live arena show in the works, something akin to "Walking With Dinosaurs" that plays in venues like the Staples Center in Los Angeles and Allstate Arena in Chicago. There's also a TV series in development and an online virtual world based on "Dragon." "It's not where you start, it's where you finish," Katzenberg told analysts about "Dragon" during a conference call to discuss quarterly earnings. "Dragon" is at $180 million domestic and on track to equal the boxoffice performance of "Kung Fu Panda," which took in $215 million domestically and is getting a somewhat similar franchise treatment. "Panda," though, boasted a $60 million opening weekend compared to just $44 million for "Dragon," which cast doubt on a sequel. "It certainly had us a bit nervous," Katzenberg said. Katzenberg said "Dragon" has such impressive legs at the boxoffice because it is DWA's best-reviewed film. It is in the "beloved category," he noted. The CEO also talked up "Megamind," saying the Nov. 5 release starring Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell will do for the superhero genre what "Shrek" did for fairy tales. He said "Scared Shrekless" is set as a Halloween special this year, and an unnamed "Panda" holiday special will run between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But don't call it a "Christmas" special. "They don't have Christmas in China," Katzenberg quipped. DWA posted $21.7 million in net income in the first quarter, down 65% because the studio lacked a big home video release in the quarter. Revenue fell 39% to $162.1 million. "Dragon" contributed $59.7 million in revenue during the quarter, while last year's "Monsters vs. Aliens" was good for $24.6 million. The 2008 releases, "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and "Panda," contributed $19.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively, while library titles were good for $52.9 million. The results beat Wall Street expectations, and DWA stock was up fractionally in afterhours trading. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...1adc576662e10f
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