Chris Rock Reveals Movie Sequel He Wants to Make to Recoup Money After $40M Divorce — It's Not 'Rush Hour'

Chris Rock has made his case for another Madagascar movie, saying he wants to return to the animated franchise more than a decade after its last main-series film.

The 61-year-old comedian discussed the films in a recent Variety interview, calling the original Madagascar 'probably the biggest movie I've ever been in.' Rock said he hoped the series would receive another instalment.

'We did three of them; I pray to god we do one more,' he said. Rock then connected his appeal for another film to his finances, joking: 'I got divorced. I don't have Madagascar money anymore.'

He went on to compare the franchise with Ice Age, which has received more main-series films, before adding: 'I need another Madagascar. It's time.' The remarks were made as a joke, and do not amount to an announcement of a new film.

A Fourth Madagascar Is Unconfirmed

Rock voiced Marty the zebra in the original Madagascar, released by DreamWorks Animation in 2005. The film was followed by Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in 2008, and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted in 2012.

A separate spin-off, Penguins of Madagascar, reached cinemas in 2014. It did not count as a fourth main Madagascar film, leaving the principal trilogy without a new instalment since 2012. Box Office Mojo lists DreamWorks as the distributor for the first three films.

There is currently no confirmed fourth main Madagascar film. Rock's comments are therefore best understood as a public pitch for a project he would like to make, rather than confirmation that DreamWorks Animation has approved one. The franchise has nevertheless remained part of Rock's filmography, alongside work in television, live comedy, and other feature films.

His Divorce Became Part of the Punchline

Rock's reference to his finances comes a decade after his marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock ended. The couple married in 1996 and separated in 2014. Their divorce was finalised in August 2016 after nearly two decades of marriage. They have two daughters, Lola and Zahra.

The financial terms of the divorce were not publicly disclosed in full. An approximately $40 million (£29.7 million) settlement figure has been reported and estimated by entertainment sources, but it should not be presented as a confirmed amount from the court documents. Reporting has indicated that the relevant divorce records were sealed, leaving the precise figure unavailable publicly.

That distinction is particularly important when interpreting Rock's latest comment. His statement that he no longer has 'Madagascar money' is a joke about his divorce and career earnings, not evidence that he is financially struggling.

Rock has previously incorporated the experience into his stand-up. His 2017 Total Blackout tour was described as the 'alimony tour', with the comedian using the financial consequences of his divorce as material. Forbes also reported that Rock was earning substantial sums during the same period.

Forbes Put His 2017 Earnings at $57 Million

Rock's post-divorce career included one of the most significant comedy deals of the streaming era. Forbes estimated that he earned $57 million (£42.3 million) between 1 June 2016, and 1 June 2017, placing him No. 30 on its 2017 Celebrity 100. Forbes said the figure represented pretax earnings, with fees for agents, managers, and lawyers not deducted.

A major contributor was Rock's reported $40 million (£29.7 million) Netflix deal for two stand-up specials. Forbes said the agreement was for two specials at $20 million each, although it noted that Rock and Netflix had not publicly commented on the amount at the time.

The Netflix deal was separate from the estimated divorce settlement. One $40 million (£29.7 million) figure relates to a reported professional contract, while the other is an estimated figure associated with the divorce. That distinction prevents Rock's 'Madagascar money' joke from being interpreted as a literal account of his current wealth.

The Franchise Remains a Major Part of His Film Career

Rock's connection to Madagascar goes beyond a single successful film. Marty became one of his most recognisable animated characters, and the original trilogy established the comedian as part of a recurring ensemble alongside Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, and David Schwimmer.

The three main films remain the core of Rock's Madagascar film work, while the 2014 Penguins of Madagascar spin-off expanded the wider property. Box Office Mojo's current franchise listing separately records the theatrical releases, including the three main films and the penguin spin-off.

Rock's latest comments arrive as Hollywood continues to revisit established film properties with sequels, reboots, and spin-offs. His argument is straightforward: Madagascar has had three main films, and he would like to make another. For now, however, there is no confirmed Madagascar 4 production, release date, or studio announcement.