Dreamworks Animation and Nickelodeon are working together to explore the possibility of creating weekly series out of two Dreamworks movies. Paul Rugg (Freakazoid!) will write a spin-off from 2005's Madagascar that focuses on penguins Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private. Tom Martin (The Simpsons) has been brought in to write the pilot for the series version of the upcoming Kung Fu Panda.

Due out in May 2008, Kung Fu Panda is the story of Po, the panda. While he is a kung fu fanatic, his body doesn't exactly lend itself to martial arts. But then events transpire that call on Po to save the day. It's like Hero, with more fur and slapstick comedy... and pandas... starring Jack Black. How can they go wrong?

The idea makes a lot of sense. Spinning the series off of a movie means a whole mess of pre-production work is already done. And while it remains to be seen what the reaction to Po will be, the youngsters sure do love those penguins. There is a built in audience already waiting.