DreamWorks Animation and Franco Dragone Entertainment Group to Create 'Kung Fu Panda' Arena Show

5/19/2009 6:19:00 PM

GLENDALE, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that it was collaborating with theatrical show production entity run by Franco Dragone to create a live arena show based on its worldwide hit, "Kung Fu Panda."

DreamWorks Animation Chief Operating Officer Ann Daly stated, "Working with Franco Dragone is an incredibly exciting prospect for us. We expect that the combination of the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group and DreamWorks Animation will result in a totally new and inventive live entertainment experience for family audiences."

The show, still in development, is currently targeted to be ready for touring in 2011, timed around the June theatrical release of the sequel to the Oscar(R)-nominated global hit "Kung Fu Panda," which amassed more than $630 million in worldwide box office receipts.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company anticipates releasing its feature films into both conventional and IMAX(R) theatres worldwide. The Company has theatrically released a total of eighteen animated feature films, including "Shrek," "Shrek 2," "Shark Tale," "Madagascar," "Over the Hedge," "Shrek the Third," "Bee Movie," "Kung Fu Panda," "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and "Monsters vs. Aliens." All of the Company's feature films are now being produced in stereoscopic 3D technology.

About Franco Dragone Entertainment Group

Founded in 2000 by Franco Dragone, the worlds most spectacular Showmaker, the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group conceives, produces and directs shows on an international scale. The company has the capacity both to launch and commercialize artistic projects from A to Z. The company is launching KDO in Brussels for Christmas 2009 and the City of Dreams in Macau, April 9, 2010. Past projects include the Disney Cinema Parade, Celine Dion's show, A New Day... and the aquatic show Le Reve, which inaugurated the hotel complex Wynn Las Vegas in May 2005.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our film and other projects, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of our projects, the release dates described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
05/19/2009
CONTACT: Jeff Hare, Publicity, +1-818-695-6055, Jeff.Hare@dreamworks.com, or Shannon Olivas, Corporate Communications, +1-818-695-3658, Shannon.Olivas@dreamworks.com, both of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.dreamworksanimation.com /