Dreamworks Animation (aka the poor man’s Pixar) has released their animated movie lineup for the next four years. Unsurprisingly there are further entries into tried and tested (at the box office) series’ such as Shrek and Madagascar, a sequel to the surprisingly good Kung Fu Panda, and a few original projects. They plan to produce one or two sequels and an original project every year, all of which will be produced in digital 3D.

March 10, 2010 - How To Train Your Dragon

The son of a Viking chief must capture a dragon in order to mark his passage into manhood and prove his worthiness to the tribe in directors Lorna Cook and David Soren’s adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s popular children’s book.

Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, TJ Miller and Christopher Mintz-Plasse are on board to voice the dragon animation. It will be directed by Chris Sanders and Dean Deblois, and produced by Bonnie Arnold.

I’m not sure about the premise (sounds like a very Dreamworks-styled movie), but that cast is bitchin’. I’ll be interested to see Butler voice an animated character: With his Scottish accent and growing reputation, I’m sure Dreamworks isn’t sweating if something happens to Mike Myers…

May 21, 2010 – Shrek Forever After (previously titled Shrek the Fourth)

Nothing is known of the plot for the fourth installment in the successful animated franchise, but original cast members Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas and Eddie Murphy will return to voice the big green ogre, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey, respectively. It will be directed by Mike Mitchell (Deuce Bigalow, Sky High, Surviving Christmas).

I never did catch Shrek the Third, but I hear I’m not missing much. Is it just me or did this series run out of steam long ago?

November 5, 2010 – Oobermind (previously titled Master Mind)

When super villain Oobermind defeats his archrival Metro Man, the world should be his oyster. But instead, Oobermind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a point for him. So he creates a new superhero rival. Unfortunately, the new hero wants to be a super villain too.

In a highlight of their lineup, Dreamworks has managed to snag Robert Downey Jr. and Tina Fey to provide the voices, with Downey playing the villainous title character and Ben Stiller executive producing. It sounds great and all (with the telling the tale from the perspective of a supervillain for a change) and I don’t know about you, but they had me at Downey Jr… It is written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons.

June 3, 2011 – Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom (previously titled Kung Fu Panda 2)

The sequel to the smash hit Kung Fu Panda continues the adventures of the titled Panda, this time him and his Kung Fu buddies having to go up against a new villain who has a mysterious and powerful weapon that somehow threatens the very existence of the titular martial art. Po the panda will also have to confront his past while fighting along side his Kung Fu buddies.

Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen and David Cross will return to voice the various and lovable Kung Fu characters. It will be the directorial debut of longtime story exec Jennifer Yuh Nelson, instead of being directed by Mark Osborne of the first film.