Chris Rock is ready to return to one of the biggest movie franchises of his career as the comedian and actor wants another “Madagascar” movie, more than a decade after audiences last heard him voice the fast-talking Marty the zebra in the franchise’s third main installment.
Rock made his case for another sequel while looking back at memorable moments from his career in a new Variety interview. Although he had a funny explanation for why he wants another movie, Rock also made it clear that “Madagascar” holds a special place among his many film credits.
Chris Rock Wants Another ‘Madagascar’ Movie
Rock didn’t hold back when discussing the possibility of returning as Marty. “I played Marty the zebra in ‘Madagascar,’” he told Variety, before praising the people involved in the animated franchise. Rock went even further when describing the movie’s place in his career, calling it “probably the biggest movie I’ve ever been in.”
The original “Madagascar” arrived in 2005 and followed four animals from New York’s Central Park Zoo who unexpectedly found themselves far from home. Along with Rock as Marty, the principal voice cast featured Ben Stiller as Alex the lion, David Schwimmer as Melman the giraffe and Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the hippo.
The success of the movie led to 2008’s “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” and 2012’s “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.” But Rock thinks three movies aren’t enough. “We did three of them. I pray to God we do one more in a world where they’re rebooting everything,” he said.
Chris Rock Has a Funny Reason for Wanting Marty Back
Rock also turned his campaign for another “Madagascar” into a joke about his own finances. “Do you understand I got divorced? I don’t have ‘Madagascar’ money anymore,” he joked.
Rock and Malaak Compton-Rock finalized their divorce in 2016. Despite going their separate ways, the former couple recently came together to celebrate their daughter Zahra’s college graduation from the University of Southern California.
During his latest comments, however, Rock quickly brought the conversation back to animated movies and questioned why “Madagascar” hasn’t received as many sequels as some other major franchises. “We only did three. There’s five ‘Ice Ages.’ Five!” he joked, before declaring, “I need another ‘Madagascar.’ It’s time!”
Rock didn’t stop with “Ice Age.” In Variety’s accompanying video, he also questioned why the “Toy Story” franchise has continued beyond its original trilogy while “Madagascar” has not. “Wasn’t there like a Toy Story 4 or 5?” Rock asked. “Why can’t we figure this out?”
For now, Rock’s enthusiasm shouldn’t be mistaken for confirmation that another movie is happening. DreamWorks Animation has not officially announced “Madagascar 4.”
‘Madagascar’ Became Much Bigger Than 3 Movies
Even without a fourth main movie, “Madagascar” grew far beyond the original trilogy.
The franchise’s popular penguins received their own theatrical spinoff, “Penguins of Madagascar,” in 2014. The characters also expanded onto television through projects including “The Penguins of Madagascar,” “All Hail King Julien” and “Madagascar: A Little Wild.”
Rock’s latest comments come more than 20 years after audiences first met Marty and his friends in the original movie. And the comedian isn’t simply looking backward at his career. Rock is currently preparing for the release of “Misty Green,” his first feature directorial effort since 2014’s “Top Five.”
The new film stars Rosalind Eleazar alongside Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya and Anna Kendrick. Rock wrote, directed and also appears in the movie. Still, even with new projects on the horizon, he clearly hasn’t forgotten Marty.
Whether DreamWorks eventually answers Rock’s call remains to be seen. But after three main movies and more than a decade away from the character, Rock has made one thing clear: he’s ready to “move it” again.
