Madagascar 4: What We Know So Far and Why It’s Uncertain

Despite the undeniable success of the last installment in the Madagascar franchise, Madagascar 4 remains a question mark in the world of animated sequels. Let’s delve into the latest developments, or rather, the lack thereof, regarding this highly anticipated continuation of the beloved series.

The journey of the Madagascar franchise began in 2005 with the release of the original Madagascar film. This animated gem introduced audiences to four pampered Central Park Zoo animals – Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo – who find themselves shipwrecked on the exotic island of Madagascar. In order to survive, they must tap into their inner instincts. This first installment was met with considerable success, paving the way for sequels and spin-offs.

The franchise continued to gain momentum with the release of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in 2008, as the gang embarked on a journey to return to their beloved New York City but found themselves crash-landing in Africa instead. This installment further solidified the Madagascar series as a crowd-pleaser.

The pinnacle of Madagascar’s success, however, came with Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted in 2012. This film became the franchise’s biggest hit to date, grossing nearly $750 million worldwide. Together with the 2014 spin-off movie, Penguins of Madagascar, and the animated TV series The Penguins of Madagascar, the franchise accumulated a staggering total of $2.266 billion.

Considering the tremendous financial success of the Madagascar franchise, one might naturally assume that DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, which distribute the films, would eagerly produce another installment. However, Madagascar 4 remains conspicuously absent from the release schedule, leaving fans to wonder why.

One theory surrounding the lack of movement on Madagascar 4 involves a well-documented feud between two cast members. Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith, who respectively voice Marty the zebra and Gloria the hippo, have been involved in a highly publicized rift. In 2022, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith’s husband, famously slapped Chris Rock onstage during the Oscars in response to a joke Rock made about Pinkett Smith. Based on Rock’s recent stand-up comedy, it’s evident that he and Smith have not reconciled. This feud likely predates the infamous incident at the Oscars in 2022. While there is no official confirmation, this feud might explain the delays in Madagascar 4’s production.

As of now, Madagascar 4 remains unconfirmed, lacking both a release date and official updates from DreamWorks Animation. However, it’s worth noting that the movie was announced almost a decade ago, in 2014, with an initial release date set for May 2018. Unfortunately, it was subsequently removed from the release schedule due to a new policy adopted by DreamWorks Animation, which limited the studio to releasing only two movies per year. Since then, little progress has been made.

The only recent comment regarding Madagascar 4 came from franchise director Tom McGrath, who hinted at ongoing work on the film. He expressed his affection for the cast and characters and suggested that there were developments in the works, although nothing had been officially announced. Since McGrath’s comment, he has directed two Boss Baby films, potentially indicating that Madagascar 4’s development has stalled.

Regarding the cast, it is likely that the main characters, including Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria, would return, as they are beloved by audiences. However, the feud between Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith raises questions about their participation. If the two cannot reconcile, it might necessitate writing one of their characters out of the story or even recasting the role. Fortunately, animation allows for seamless recasting, as evidenced by past successful examples.

While the story of Madagascar 4 remains shrouded in mystery, the ending of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted provides a hint of the direction it could take. The third film concluded with the gang joining the circus, as they realized they no longer wanted to be in captivity. This decision could set the stage for Madagascar 4, potentially seeing the four animals return to Africa.

Despite the extended hiatus in the franchise, long breaks between animated sequels are not unprecedented. Fans had to wait 12 years for Toy Story 3, and that film proved to be a tremendous success both critically and commercially. DreamWorks Animation could use the extended gap between Madagascar films to their advantage by implementing a time jump in Madagascar 4 that mirrors the years that have passed in real life. This approach would allow the characters to age, potentially introducing themes of mortality and creating a more emotionally resonant narrative.

In conclusion, while Madagascar 4 has yet to materialize and official updates are scarce, the enduring popularity of the franchise suggests that it may not be shelved permanently. Fans eagerly await news of the beloved characters’ return to the big screen, hoping that they will once again embark on a wild and hilarious adventure.

We bring out some of the most well-known Disney collection, all of which are available at reasonable costs. Visit our link now if you are interested in the Disney collection

Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle