Katzenberg says "Panda" box office "heartbreaking"

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - After being mired in a stock slump in recent months, DreamWorks Animation announced a stronger than expected second quarter.

Revenues at DreamWorks Animation climbed 38 percent to $218.3 million during the second quarter on the strength of the worldwide box office performance of "Kung Fu Panda 2," the company announced Tuesday.

Profits for the company also increased, rising 42 percent to $34.1 million, or $0.40 per share.

Revenues for the Glendale-based animation studio beat analysts' projections, while profits met their benchmark. A poll of analysts by Thomson Reuters anticipated earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $198.2 million.

Shares rose nearly 5 percent in after-hours trading.

"Kung Fu Panda 2," which was released on May 26, 2011, contributed $55.8 million of revenue in the quarter, generated by its worldwide box office performance as well as merchandising and licensing.

The animated sequel's $440 million gross at the international box office was impressive, but on a conference call with investors after the earnings announcement, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg described the film's $160 million take at the domestic box office as "heartbreaking."

Katzenberg said that the studio miscalculated by positioning "Kung Fu Panda 2" as family friendly counter-programing to "Hangover Part 2."

"I think we had a terrible, terrible calamity in the US and it's heartbreaking because there's no recovering from it," Katzenberg said.

Read More

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/27/industry-us-dreamworks-idUSTRE76Q04A20110727

'Hangover Part II' Stuntman Severely Injured in Film-Related Car Crash

An Australian stunt driver has been hospitalized in Thailand after a film-related crash left him severely injured while shooting The Hangover Part II.

A source close to the production confirms that stunt driver Scott McLean was in an induced coma through sedation meant to help him recover from the set incident.

Warner Bros., which is distributing the sequel, confirmed the accident in a statement released.

"There was an accident involving a truck and a car on the second unit set of The Hangover Part II near Bangkok, Thailand, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2010 (Bangkok time). A stuntman was injured during the filming of this sequence," the statement read.

"The truck and car were both driven by stunt drivers. An ambulance immediately took the injured stuntman to the local hospital, and he has since been transported to a hospital in Bangkok, where advanced care is being provided. We are awaiting further details concerning his condition."

No further details were available from the company.

The production source described the stunt as one that had been choreographed and rehearsed. McLean was in a moving truck leaning out the window, as planned, when the car driving towards it to pass skidded suddenly and hit him. A further prognosis report is expected in a few days.

The film reunites the original foursome played by Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms.

HangOver 2 Plot Revealed

Warner Bros. has revealed a key plot-point for the upcoming Hangover II -- a seemingly innocent brunch will set the wheels in motion for the comedy.


The newly released studio press kit reveals how The Hangover crew of Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) will find trouble when Helms gets married in the exotic setting of Thailand.

"After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch," the release says. "However, things don’t always go as planned."

In the 'Hangover,' Las Vegas served as the location for the mayhem that followed a lost bachelor party evening. The sequel promises even more.

"What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined," the synopsis says.

Read More

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/details-hangover-ii-plot-revealed-49028