Robert Downey Jr. to Headline Cast of DreamWorks Animation's Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Rob Minkoff's Return to Feature Animation

GLENDALE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that two-time Academy Award® nominee Robert Downey Jr. will voice the iconic character of Mr. Peabody, headlining the cast of the studio's feature adaptation of animation legend Jay Ward's classic TV series, Mr. Peabody & Sherman.  The studio had previously announced that Rob Minkoff (Stuart Little, The Lion King) will direct the project, and Jason Clark (Monster House, Stuart Little) will produce.  Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, Bullwinkle Studio's Tiffany Ward and Classic Media's Eric Ellenbogen will executive produce the project, which was first brought to the studio by Minkoff and Clark.

Mr. Peabody & Sherman marks Minkoff's return to animation after 15 years. "It's great to come back to my first love, animation," said Minkoff. "The opportunity to make another animated feature with Jeffrey Katzenberg and the amazing team he's built at DreamWorks Animation is truly a dream come true. I've loved the time-traveling adventures of Mr. Peabody & Sherman since I was a kid. There's something irresistibly charming about the idea that the world's smartest person is a dog who adopts a 'pet' boy."

"Rob is a brilliant filmmaker and welcoming him to DreamWorks Animation is exciting for all of us," said DreamWorks Animation's Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke. "We look forward to working with him to bring one of the most unusual father-son teams ever conceived to the big screen."

Joshua Sternin & Jeffrey Ventimilia (That '70s Show) wrote the first draft screenplay.  Alex Schwartz and Chris Kuser are overseeing the project at DreamWorks Animation.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 21 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.

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This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.