Update: On March 24, 2008, Glu Mobile and DreamWorks Animation SKG Announce Mobile Gaming License for ”Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”. You read it here first!
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On March 3, 2008, Dreamworks Animation filed to protect the trademark Madagascar Escape 2 Africa in relation to “animated motion picture films for theatrical release and for distribution via television” as well as a variety of goods and services related to Dreamworks’ Madagascar franchise.
While Dreamworks has been using Madagascar: The Crate Escape as the name for the sequel to Madagascar, and even filed to protect the trademark Madagascar: The Crate Escape back in November of 2006, Mork suggests that Dreamworks might have changed their mind with regard to the title.
Since Dreamworks has confirmed that the sequel will begin with the animals on the plane in Madagascar, and then have them journeying to mainland Africa and meeting some of Alex’s family (the lion played by Ben Stiller), the name change makes perfect sense.
Since Madagascar is technically part of the continent of Africa, you can’t really escape to Africa from Madagascar as you’re already in Africa. But far be it for Mork to rain on Dreamworks’ parade and slam a much more visually-rich and descriptive title.
