'Panda 2' helmer rings in gold coin

Female company directors happen to be attaining ground recently -- totally on the niche scene. However when it involves blockbusters, will still be your world.Tell that to Jennifer Yuh Nelson, director of Vital-DreamWorks Animation's global hit "Kung Fu Panda 2."When "Panda 2" entered the $645 million worldwide benchmark, Nelson grew to become the greatest-grossing female director in the global box office. She beat "Mamma Mia!" helmer Phyllida Lloyd, whose tuner made nearly $610 million worldwide in 2008.About the toon front, Nelson's "Panda 2" surpassed "Shrek," that was co-directed by Vicky Jenson and cumed $484 million, in addition to co-helmer Judy Morris' "Happy Ft," which totaled $384 million in the worldwide B.O. however, Jenson's combined helming credits, including "Shrek" and "Shark Tale," have outgrossed "Panda 2.""I'm humbled and happy that audiences all over the world continue to reply to the storyline and figures in 'Kung Fu Panda 2,' " Nelson states. "No animated movie will get made with no huge team of individuals, so I wish to offer my sincere thanks and shared congratulations to all the gifted and inspiring artists who labored beside me about the movie."Locally, the toon follow up trailed its predecessor (directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson), which made $215 million in 2008. But because of an outstanding worldwide run at $487 million, "Panda 2" became one from the summer's best entertainers on the global scale. n Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com