Paramount Pictures are going to release a direct-to-video companion film simultaneously with the coming out of the DreamWorks comedy animation's DVD version.
- September 15, 2008
AceShowbiz -
"Kung Fu Panda" DVD edition will be getting a direct-to-video companion film when it is available in stores. Making the announcement are Paramount Home Entertainment which points out further that the film will be entitled "Secrets of the Furious Five" and will be bundled with the original film as part of a "Pandamonium Double Pack".
Though its slug-line "The Kung Fu Panda story continues" may lead to the speculation that it is a sequel, The Hollywood Reporter explains that the storyline will be dealing with the back stories of the characters from the original film. Additionally, it is unclear whether this is the same film as the earlier reported sequel planned by DreamWorks. Still, Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman will lend their voice once again.
The release of "Furious Five" with "Panda" on Sunday, November 9 will mark the first time a new release arrives in stores on Sunday instead of its usual Tuesday outing. Furthermore, since it is being released on the same day "Panda" home video hits the shelves, it signified the first time a direct-to-video sequel to major theatrical hit film gets the same release date as the original.
Released in theaters on June 6, "Panda" opened atop the North American box office with $60.2 million during its weekend screening and has since collected $611.6 million worldwide. Voiced also by Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogen, it tells the story of Po, a clumsy and fat panda aspiring to be a Kung Fu master one day.
