Chris Rock is making a fresh appeal for another Madagascar movie, saying he would gladly return as Marty the Zebra if the animated franchise gets a fourth installment. The comedian and actor, who became closely associated with the popular DreamWorks series through his voice performance, recently reflected on the success of the films while joking about his finances after his divorce.
During a recent conversation with Variety, Rock made his feelings about a potential Madagascar 4 clear. The actor looked back at his involvement in the franchise and pointed to the scale of its success, while also suggesting that the time may be right for the beloved characters to return to the big screen.
Rock recalled that Madagascar was one of the biggest movie franchises he had been part of and expressed hope that the original cast could reunite for another adventure. He said, “probably the biggest movie I’ve ever been in. We did three of them; I pray to God we do one more. In a world where they’re rebooting everything, let’s do Madagascar! I don’t know who I’m talking to. Do you understand I got divorced?” He then added, “I don’t have Madagascar money anymore.”
The comments were delivered with the kind of humor audiences have come to expect from Rock, but his message was straightforward. He wants to see the franchise continue, and he is ready to step back into the role that helped make him a familiar voice to generations of moviegoers.
Rock originally voiced Marty, the zebra who dreams of experiencing life beyond the confines of the Central Park Zoo. The character became one of the central figures of the Madagascar films, alongside Alex the lion, voiced by Ben Stiller, Melman the giraffe, voiced by David Schwimmer, and Gloria the hippopotamus, voiced by Jada Pinkett Smith.
The first Madagascar film arrived in 2005 and quickly established itself as a major animated hit. Its success led to Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in 2008 and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted in 2012. Across the trilogy, the characters traveled through different parts of the world while maintaining the friendship and comic chemistry that made the original movie successful.
For Rock, returning as Marty would also mean revisiting one of the most recognizable characters of his career. Although he is widely known for stand-up comedy, television appearances and live-action film roles, his work as Marty remains an important part of his filmography. The zebra’s energetic personality, constant curiosity and desire for adventure provided Rock with plenty of room to bring his comedic style into an animated setting.
His comments also come at a time when established entertainment franchises are increasingly being revisited. Hollywood has continued to bring back familiar characters through sequels, reboots, remakes and spin-offs, giving older properties another opportunity to attract both longtime fans and younger audiences.
Rock referenced that trend directly when making his case for another Madagascar film. Rather than creating an entirely new concept, a fourth movie could bring back characters audiences already know while introducing them to a new generation. The challenge, however, would be finding a story that feels fresh rather than simply relying on nostalgia.
The Madagascar franchise has already demonstrated that its characters can support stories beyond the original trilogy. The popularity of the Penguins of Madagascar characters eventually resulted in their own spin-off film, while the television series The Penguins of Madagascar expanded the world for younger viewers. The original movies also remained recognizable long after the theatrical trilogy ended.
Rock pointed toward other major animated franchises when discussing the possibility of continuing Madagascar. He mentioned Ice Age, another successful animated series from the same studio, which expanded across multiple films and spin-off projects. He also referred to Toy Story, another franchise that has continued to find new ways to remain relevant across different generations.
The comparison highlights an interesting question about Madagascar. The series has a recognizable cast, an established world and characters with strong audience recognition, but more than a decade has passed since the third main film was released. That gap could work in the franchise’s favor by creating a sense of anticipation, but it could also make a new installment more complicated to develop.
A fourth movie would also need to consider how the characters and their relationships have changed. Marty, Alex, Melman and Gloria have already gone through several adventures, leaving filmmakers with the task of creating another journey that can stand on its own. The strongest animated sequels often succeed when they combine familiar personalities with a story that offers something new.
Rock’s willingness to return could nevertheless be an encouraging sign for fans. Voice casting is an important part of animated franchises because audiences often associate characters closely with the performers behind them. Bringing back the original voices could help preserve the tone and chemistry that defined the earlier movies.
