Switching Gears

I had a feeling that this was going to happen to DreamWorks' current slate sooner or later, especially after the temporary shelving of Me and My Shadow, a film originally aimed for a spring 2014 release. It looks like two films have traded places: The tentatively titled Mumbai Musical and Kung Fu Panda 3. It appears that the next installment in the colorful martial arts adventure series is bowing in theaters first, with the risky and potentially great Bollywood-style musical following.

Kung Fu Panda 3 is now opening on December 23, 2015. Like the original planned release date (March 18, 2016), it's certainly unusual since the first two films were summer releases. The date, however, is good. It's almost a month away from Pixar's Finding Dory (if that film stays in the November 25, 2015 spot) and will have no trouble doing well over the holidays. It's possible that the film may have a lot of snowy mountain settings to go along with the season it's being released in. The cast for the film has also been expanded: Bryan Cranston, Mads Mikkelsen and Rebel Wilson will now star in this DreamWorks sequel.

I say bring it on! Kung Fu Panda marked the beginning of a better era for the studio. Kung Fu Panda 2 expanded upon the first film's already decent storyline and added heart, emotions and even darkness. Plus, that sequel ended with a nice hook so a third one has to happen.

As for Mumbai Musical, I've been curious and excited about it since it was announced a while back. I'm happy to see that it at least has a release date pegged, but hopefully the production doesn't run into problems like Me and My Shadow did. It's possible that DreamWorks may announce the new date for that film too, because to my understanding, it's just on the back burner for now. Will Mumbai Musical get its title soon? Who knows. I actually kind of liked the working title: Monkeys of Mumbai. Hopefully this musical is done right and is another nice addition to DreamWorks' current slate.

Are you looking forward to these films? Do you think the change of release dates was for the better? Or not?

Sound off below!