Dreamworks was all set to debut KUNG FU PANDA 3 in time for Christmas next year, but a little movie called STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS had to come in and steal all the thunder. Even the Dragon Warrior stands no chance against J.J. Abrams‘ mega-sequel which is bound to dominate the box office the end of December into January. So, to prevent any loss of box office, Dreamworks will move KUNG FU PANDA 3 from December 23, 2015 to March 18, 2016.
When you look at the new date, I am not sure that is going to be much better as that will put the Jack Black animated sequel one week before the premiere of BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. I would expect one big opening weekend for KUNG FU PANDA 3 and then it will drop off the radar as the DC Comics movie is bound to be huge when it opens. Dreamworks has been dealing with financial issues since their move from Paramount to 20th Century Fox with two failed financial mergers over the last year. This could be a bad sign for what is widely looked at as Pixar’s chief competition.
Along with the shift of KUNG FU PANDA 3, Dreamworks may be removing B.O.O. (BUREAU OF OTHERWORLDY OPERATIONS) completely off the 2015 calendar which would leave HOME as their only film coming out next year. KUNG FU PANDA 3 is sliding into the spot Dreamworks had for BOSS BABY which has not been given a new release date yet.
KUNG FU PANDA 3 will feature the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, and new additions Rebel Wilson and Bryan Cranston. It will now hit theaters on March 18, 2016.