Oct 28, 2008, 10:40 GMT
Ben Stiller has paid tribute to his late 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' co-star Bernie Mac.
Bernie Mac - missed by many, including Stiller. © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
Ben - who reprises his role voicing Alex the lion in the animated sequel - says Bernie, who recorded his lines as Alex's father Zuba before his untimely passing in August aged 50, is the "core of the movie".
He said: "I would hear the scenes with Alex and Zuba cut together while we were doing it and I was always so inspired because he's so great in the movie and he adds so much to it. "He gives a warmth and humanity to the lion and the father son relationship is really the core of the movie. He's a great voice actor. It's really sad because I think he could have done a lot of these movies."
'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' also sees the return of Sacha Baron Cohen, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Cedric the Entertainer.
It was recently reported producers are planning a third film in the 'Madagascar...' franchise following the success of the original 2005 film and expected popularity of the sequel.
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