DreamWorks Animation licenses 'Shrek,' 'Madagascar,' 'Kung Fu Panda' for Russian theme parks

The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Calif. - DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. says it is licensing its characters to a developer of theme parks in Russia.

The Regions Group of Companies plans to open parks in St. Petersburg, Moscow and the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in 2015.

DreamWorks said Friday that the parks will be Europe's largest year-round indoor entertainment zones. The zones will be part of larger entertainment complexes, each featuring a mixed-use movie and concert hall, a movie theatre, a hotel and a retail centre.

Some franchises that are to be featured at the parks include "Shrek," ''Madagascar," ''How to Train Your Dragon" and "Kung Fu Panda," as well as upcoming films such as "Turbo," a movie set to debut in July about a snail that gets super speedy powers.

DreamWorks shares were up 54 cents, or 3.2 per cent, at $17.48 in afternoon trading on Wall Street Friday.