Expanding Horizons

As did an animation studio before it, DWA breaks out of its "cartoon studio" mold.

DreamWorks Animation SKG, the Hollywood studio behind hits like “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Madagascar,” said on Tuesday that it planned to develop a $3.1 billion cultural and entertainment district in Shanghai with a group of Chinese partners.

The Dream Center, a riverfront complex to cover six large city blocks, has ambitions to rival the Broadway theater district in New York and the West End in London, with theaters, performance halls, restaurants, shops and an entertainment zone with a “Kung Fu Panda” theme.

I've had various industry execs (and former execs) tell me that DreamWorks Animation ultimate game plan was to merge with one of our fine, entertainment conglomerates. I even had one who said that was Jeffrey Katzenberg's game plan prior to the meltdown in 2008 when almost everyone's plans went a teeny bit ... awry.

Mr. Katzenberg, of course, has always denied this.

But now the master plan is becoming clear. The goal for DWA is not to get swallowed up by a conglomerate, but to become a conglomerate under its own steam. The Big Moves inside the Middle Kingdom are early steps, yes?