After serving as creative consultant on Kung-Fun Panda 2 and Megamind, Guillermo del Toro went on to executive produce several successful animated films at Dreamworks, including Rise of the Guardians, Puss in Boots, and Kung Fu Panda 3. He most recently produced a successful Netflix animated program, Trollhunters, which will soon launch two spinoffs.
In light of these accomplishments and del Toro's recent awards run and accolades for The Shape of Water, it was likely a no-brainer for Dreamworks Animation to renew their partnership.
In an official press release, del Toro stated, "Animation is an art form that has influenced my work greatly since childhood. To me, it’s the perfect medium to bring to life any and all ideas, no matter how outlandish or wild. I am eager to work with Chris and the talented artists at DreamWorks – some of the most talented people in the business – to make these images a reality."
DreamWorks Animation President Chris deFaria also added, "We are thrilled that Guillermo is adding a film partnership to the already successful television relationship he has with DreamWorks Animation. He is truly a one-of-a-kind artist, and we are eager to see his imagination on full display in the family animated feature space. Guillermo has a unique talent for creating memorable worlds and characters, and we believe the films we create with him will resonate with animation audiences for many generations to come. I am personally very excited to extend the long working relationship I have enjoyed with Guillermo and look forward to him also collaborating with us on some of our breakthrough advancements in technology and innovation."
Del Toro maintains offices at Dreamworks' Glendale, CA lot.