DreamWorks Animation Releases Cast Line-Up
Into the Wild of ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation today announced a stellar cast line-up for DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming comedy, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” which is slated for a November 7, 2008 theatrical release. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is the sequel to the studio’s hit, “Madagascar” which grossed over $532 million in worldwide box office and became the number one animated film of 2005.

The original cast from “Madagascar,” including Ben Stiller as Alex the lion, Chris Rock as Marty the zebra, David Schwimmer as Melman the giraffe, Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the hippo, Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien the lemur king, Cedric The Entertainer as Maurice, Julien’s advisor and Andy Richter as Mort the chimp will reprise their roles in “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.” Joining the Central Park zoosters for their continuing adventures in Africa is an all new ensemble, including Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show) as Zuba, Alex’s dad and head of the pride, Sherri Shepherd (The View) as Alex’s Mom, Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) as Makunga, a challenger to Zuba and Will.i.am (The Black Eyed Peas) as Moto Moto, a watering hole lothario.

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath (writer/directors of “Madagascar”) and produced by Mireille Soria (“Madagascar”) and Mark Swift (“Bee Movie”). Will.i.am serves as co-composer alongside Hans Zimmer.

In the highly-anticipated sequel to “Madagascar,” Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane — sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all — the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place … but is it better than their Central Park home?

[Source (poster image): Cinematical]