DreamWorks' 'Oobermind'

Subject: DreamWorks' 'Oobermind' Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:00 am

Quote :: Trio set for DreamWorks' 'Oobermind'
Will Ferrell replaces Robert Downey Jr.
By PETER DEBRUGE

CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg hopes 'Oobermind' is part of a more successful 2010 for DreamWorks Animation, after an underperforming 2009.

DreamWorks Animation's "Oobermind" has enlisted three new superheroes, with Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill set to lend their voices to the comedy set for release in fall 2010.

Ferrell replaces Robert Downey Jr. in the title role of a supervillain who imagines all his dastardly dreams coming true after defeating good-guy rival Metro Man (Pitt), only to find life quite boring without an adversary. To fill the void, Oobermind creates a new superhero, Titan (Hill), who also wants to be bad, forcing Oobermind to switch sides.

The three actors join Tina Fey, already onboard to play the reporter tasked with keeping track of the city's confusing superhero situation.

"Oobermind," produced by Lara Breay and Denise Nolan Cascino, is being directed by Tom McGrath, co-helmer of the "Madagascar" pics. The project would have marked the first major animation role for Downey, who exited due to scheduling conflicts.

The new cast brings considerable toon experience to the table.

During his "Saturday Night Live" days, Ferrell recorded short-lived sitcom "The Oblongs," which went on to find a cult following. He later made "Curious George" for U. Fey can be heard in Disney's "Ponyo," now in theaters.

"Oobermind" marks a return to DWA for both Pitt and Hill. Pitt previously voiced the lead in "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas" for the studio, while Hill has a lead role in next year's "How to Train Your Dragon."

Earlier this summer, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg told Daily Variety he expects 2010 to be a big year for the company, picking up the slack for the underperformance of its only 2009 release, "Monsters vs. Aliens." DWA has an ambitious 2010 slate, with "Dragon," "Shrek Forever After" and "Oobermind" lined up. All three toons will be distributed in stereoscopic 3-D.

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