Chipmunk 'Threequel' to go 3D

Twentieth Century Fox have announced that Alvin and his chipmunk pals will return for a third outing; and in move that is fast becoming mandatory it will be 3D. 


No details have surfaced about script development, casting or directors, however the marketing strategy for its release is clear.


The release date has been set to Dec. 16, 2O11 for Alvin and the Chipmunks 3D; with one eye firmly on the festive market, and the other on Steven Spielberg's 3D "Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of Unicorn" released a week later on Dec. 23.


Despite critical response to the films being poor; the announced 'threequel' is no surprise. The little jumper wearing fur-balls have provided a lucrative franchise for Fox, New Regency and Bagdasarian Pictures. The first film, released in 2OO7 grossed $361.3 million worldwide. Last year's 'squeakquel' brought in $429.8 million. If this trend continues, be ready for more. 
 MATT RICHARDSON