When discussing the development of the Madagascar spin-off focusing on the military-minded Penguins, you might think the focus would be on Skipper, Kowalski, Private and Rico. But DreamWorks Animation has locked in a couple of star voices for The Penguins Of Madagascar who could compete for attention, with Benedict Cumberbatch and John Malkovich swelling the ranks.
The Penguins – who have already been successful enough to spawn a TV show, a straight-to-DVD spin-off film and a comic – are getting their own big screen outing in March 2015.
While the Wrap’s report doesn’t specify what they’ll exactly be up to, we do now know they’ll be facing a villain voiced by Malkovich and interacting with a CIA animal boasting Benedict's buttery tones.
Simon J. Smith is set to direct, with regular Madagascar filmmakers Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell involved as producers. McGrath will also be returning to mic duties as Skipper.
Cumberbatch is ever in demand, and his voice will be heard as both Smaug and the Necromancer in The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug. He also has** 12 Years A Slave**, The Fifth Estate and August: Osage County on the way. Malkovich is back on our screens in **Red 2 **and will be seen in Chavez and Cut Bank.