Bee Movie co-director Simon J. Smith has been hired by DreamWorks Animation to helm the Untitled Madagascar Penguins Project, which will likely hit theaters in 2014.

Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, writers of DreamWorks hit MegaMind, have been brought onto knock out the screenplay for this spin-off.

The story will focus primarily on Skipper, Kowalski, Private and Rico, the four penguins who've garnered quite a following from Madagascar and its sequel. No voice cast has been secured for the four leads at this time.

Madagascar 3 will precede the Untitled Madagascar Penguins Project, arriving on May 18th of 2012. The penguins are likely to make an appearance in the film.