Chris Rock Finds Financial Incentive to Revive Madagascar Franchise
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Comedian Chris Rock is making it clear that he is eager to reprise his role as Marty the zebra in a potential fourth installation of the beloved Madagascar franchise. During a recent interview with Variety, the actor explained that he hopes to see a new film in a landscape where sequels and reboots are increasingly common.
First introduced to audiences in 2005, the original Madagascar film was a significant success for DreamWorks Animation. Alongside Rock, the movie featured performances from notable talents such as Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Reflecting on his experience, Rock remarked, “I played Marty the zebra in Madagascar. Everybody is really good. It’s probably the biggest movie I’ve ever been in.”
Despite already contributing to three films in the series, Rock is adamant that the world deserves another outing with Marty and his crew. “I pray to God we do one more in a world where they’re rebooting everything,” he said with a sense of urgency. The comedian’s desire for a new film is not solely rooted in artistic ambition; he also highlighted financial motivations stemming from his personal life.
In light of his divorce from Malaak Compton-Rock, which concluded in 2016, Rock has openly joked about the financial ramifications of their separation. “Do you understand I got divorced? I don’t have Madagascar money anymore,” he quipped. The actor playfully compared the Madagascar series to the Ice Age franchise, stating, “We only did three. There’s five Ice Ages. Five! Okay? I need another Madagascar. It’s time!”
Rock and Compton-Rock divorced after 18 years of marriage, and they share two daughters, Lola and Zahra. The comedian has frequently commented on the financial impacts of his divorce, even making light of the situation at various public events. During the 2025 Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards, he joked about his ex-wife while discussing charitable contributions made by fellow celebrities, highlighting how a significant portion of his earnings now goes to Compton-Rock.
Despite the challenges surrounding his divorce, Rock and Compton-Rock have shown they can come together for their children. They recently reunited to celebrate their daughter Zahra’s graduation from the University of Southern California. In a heartwarming Instagram post, Compton-Rock shared their pride for their daughter’s achievements, commenting on her degree in English and her high honours distinction.
Reflecting on shared milestones like this suggests that Rock still values family life, even amid his comedic pursuits. Outside of his film and comedy career, the former couple’s collaborative parenting remains a priority. Clearly, this spirit of collaboration could extend into his hopes for a new Madagascar film, as he seeks to create more memories that can be cherished by families worldwide.
As Rock continues to navigate his career and personal life, the prospect of reviving Marty the zebra offers both professional success and a chance to further connect with fans. Whether or not the Madagascar franchise will see a fourth film remains uncertain; however, Rock’s enthusiasm for another adventure is undeniable. With industry trends favouring reboots, it seems that fans may not have to wait too long for another chance to hear Rock’s distinctive take on the lovable zebra.