As reported last month, Dreamworks Pictures plans to create a film adaptation of Pioneer Press's popular strategy game Monsterpocalypse. Despite scheduling conflicts with Burton's other project Dark Shadows , a revival of a 1960's vampire soap opera (yes this stuff existed before twilight, the search has already begun for a writer. According to Heat Vision, Burton will work with long time creative partner John August, writer of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Corpse Bride, and Big Fish. No decision has been officially made regarding Burton's other commitments, but chances are we will be seeing a new rise of giant monster films in the years to come.

While not universally loved, Kung Fu Panda was a successful and well liked animated action comedy that became a hit in 2008. Dreamworks has now announced a sequel and the film has begun casting and production.

Joining Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Dostin Hoffman, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, and James Hong are Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean Claude Van Damme, and Victor Garber. Oldman is to voice a villainous peacock, Lord Shen, who summons the mystical goatlike Soothsayer. Van Damme and Garber will be joining as new kung fun masters.

Producer Melissa Cob had the following to say of the film: "In the sequel, Po goes on an amazing personal journey and we are thrilled to have assembled such a talented and well-respected group of actors to bring to life our new characters, who – alongside our returning cast – play such a critical role in Po's quest and his ultimate triumph over the forces of evil."

Source: Dreamworks Animation, spill.com

Like Warhammer, Monsterpocalypse stands out amongst most tabletop games as having a rather well fleshed out mythology. Mixing elements of Godzilla, H.P. Lovecraft, Transformers, and Ultraman Monsterpocalypse tells a frantic story of the world on the brink of destruction. Apparently this has caught the attention of Dreamworks studios, who announced today to Deadline Hollywood that they had acquired the rights to the popular strategy game. Even more interesting is the rumor that famous director Tim Burton is toying with the idea of helming the film. Either way, this is certainly exciting news for monster fans.

It is a sad fact in modern cinema, that when it comes to film attention World War I does not get the same attention as WWII. Steven Spielberg announced today that he plans to make his next project based on the popular WWI novel, War Horse, by Michael Morpurgo. The story follows a boy and a horse who are separated by the Great War, but continue to meet throughout the war. "From the moment I read [the book], I knew this was a film I wanted DreamWorks to make. Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country," said Spielberg in a press release today. The film will be released August 10, 2011 (My birthday!).

Dreamworks's higly sucessful, critically and financially, animated epic How To Train Your Dragon, will now become the studio's newest franchise. The film that has consistently dominated the box office since its release in March and to this day has grossed $375 million worldwide. Part of the film's success is contributed to the growing popularity of 3D, which was one of How To Train Your Dragon's major draws. The sequel is expected to be released in 2013.