Dreamworks Animation Chief talks the decline of 3D

Even with the many 3D releases coming to theaters this summer, there has been an alarming dip in the grosses of 3D films at the domestic box office. Although 3D summer tentpoles such as "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" have been immensely successful (surpassing the $800 million mark), a majority of moviegoers opted to see the film in 2D rather than 3D. The same happened with the Dreamworks film "Kung Fu Panda 2." 

The Hollywood Reporter recently sat down with Dreamworks Animation Chief Jeffrey Katzenberg to discuss the declining number of 3D moviegoers. According to Katzenberg, "Too many 3D movies from other companies have been more show than substance, betraying the consumer." Regarding this problem, Katzenberg when on to say that "It's really heartbreaking to see what has been the single greatest opportunity that has happened to the film business in over a decade being harmed."

Do you agee with Katzenberg? Are certain studios betraying consumers by pumping out lackluster 3D films? Or are people just getting tired of 3D in general?

'Kung Fu Panda 2' disappoints at box office

Although receiving a warm welcome from most critics, "Kung Fu Panda 2" is not performing as well as expected. Over the long Memorial weekend, Po & the Furious Five only managed to rake in $68 million of the $75 million estimate.

While this doesn't seem like a catastrophic loss, the numbers from the box office have caused shares of Dreamworks Animation to plummet to their lowest levels in two years and has analysts believing that this franchise is already showing "signs of fatigue."

On top of this, the film has managed to draw the ire of some people overseas as protestors in China have been calling for a boycott of the film due to its depiction of Chinese culture. (Via THR)

Rodrigo Blaas' 'Alma' short gets feature treatment

Rodrigo Blaas' animated short film "Alma" could be getting the feature film treatment at DreamWorks Animation, where he is negotiating a deal to direct the project, with Guillermo del Toro producing.

The cute short, which you can watch below, focuses on a little girl who enters a toy store and finds a doll that looks just like her. Blaas wrote and helmed the short, and he would do the same for the feature.

Blaas, whoe will also work on "Trollhunters," is certainly not new to the world of animation, because he worked as animator on "Up," "Wall-E," "Ratatouille," "Cars" and even "Ice Age." (Source: THR)

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Guillermo del Toro readying 'Trollhunters'

Guillermo del Toro originally planned to set up his "Trollhunters" project at Disney, but the filmmaker has decided to team up with DreamWorks Animation instead. He will write and direct the film there.

The cool thing is that Del Toro will be involved with numerous projects at DreamWorks Animation, but "Trollhunters" is his entirely. It is based on a young adult novel he recently submitted to a publisher.

"It essentially combines fairy tales with modern times and is about how difficult it is to be kid. Normally, kids are idealized in animated films," he told The Hollywood Reporter. Not start date has been set.

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First look at 'Puss in Boots' (and Kitty)

DreamWorks Animation is releasing "Puss in Boots" (in 3D) Nov. 4, 2011, but the website for the animated tale is now online, giving you a first look at Puss and his female companion Kitty. See above and below.

Chris Miller, helmer of "Shrek the Third," directed "Puss," which features the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and funny guy Zach Galifianakis (Humpty Dumpty). Visit the official site right here.

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New 'Megamind' trailer still rather weak

DreamWorks Animation's "Megamind" is still on track for release Nov. 5, 2010, and a brand-new feature trailer debuted online recently. To tell you the truth, I'm still disappointed. I already failed to enjoy the film's teaser trailer back in March, and while this one shows us more story, it still fall short...

The film follows a supervillain (Will Ferrell) who slips into a deep crisis after he finally defeats his rival Metro Man (Brad Pitt). As a result, he creates a new hero (Jonah Hill) who has evil intentions himself. This may sound appealing and all, but sadly enough, we don't really get to see any of that in this trailer.

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Movie Review: "How to Train Your Dragon"

Seen on: March 20, 2010

The players: Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Writers: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: Hiccup is a young Viking who wants to learn how to kill dragons, until he encounters an injured one that makes him change his views.

Our thoughts: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders’ “How to Train Your Dragon” is a fantastic big-screen adventure, and it looks gorgeous in 3D. It’s a thrilling ride young viewers and their parents will undoubtedly enjoy to the fullest extent, and it’s exactly the kind of animated project that reminds us why this new technology is really worth admiring. No seriously, it’s a blast.

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Second 'How to Train Your Dragon' trailer tanks

Back in November, we got a first look at DreamWorks Animation's upcoming 3D family adventure "How to Train Your Dragon," and clearly I remember the trailer was pretty boring and visually uninteresting.

A second preview has just hit the Web, and guess what? It is as equally disappointing as its predecessor. It's rather similar than the first trailer, and it still failed to win me over. Unfortunate, but true.

Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, this animated action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers.

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Zach Galifianakis to voice 'Puss in Boots'?

Zach Galifianakis is the man, mainly because you will soon hear and see him in everything. Now "The Hangover" star is even considering a voice role in the upcoming "Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots."

Specifically, Galifianakis is in talks to voice Humpty Dumpty in the film, which follows the adventures of the feline swordsman. The story focuses on what happens to Puss before he runs into Shrek.

Chris Miller, co-director of "Shrek The Third," is helming the DreamWorks Animation title from a script by Tom Wheeler. Antonio Banderas' and Salma Hayek's voices will be featured in the film as well.

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Lame trailer for 'How to Train Your Dragon'

DreamWorks Animation's next project is a family adventure titled "How to Train Your Dragon," and a feature trailer for the film directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders has debuted online.

Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. 

Hiccup’s world, however, is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view...

Jay Baruchel voices Hiccup, and judging solely by this trailer, "Dragon" features a terrible voice cast. To be honest, I found it quite painful to listen to these characters in this mediocre trailer.

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