The beloved animated franchise Kung Fu Panda is back with its fourth installment, featuring the return of Jack Black as the voice of Po, the panda who became the Dragon Warrior. The official trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 was released by DreamWorks and Universal Pictures on Tuesday, giving fans a glimpse of the new adventure that awaits Po and his friends.
Po Faces a New Challenge as the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace
The trailer begins with Po reminiscing about his journey from a noodle shop worker to a kung fu master in Kung Fu Panda 4 as he watches a montage of his past exploits on a giant scroll. He then reveals that he is now the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, a role that he inherited from his mentor, Master Oogway. However, Po is not sure if he is ready to take on the responsibility of guiding the people and protecting the balance of the world.
He decides to seek out a new dragon warrior, someone who can carry on his legacy and fight the forces of evil. He sets out on a quest to find a worthy successor, accompanied by his father, Li, and his loyal friends, the Furious Five. Along the way, he encounters a variety of new and old characters, including Zhen, a fox who becomes his protégé, and the Chameleon, a shape-shifting villain who conjures up Po’s old enemies.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Features a Star-Studded Voice Cast
Kung Fu Panda 4 boasts an impressive voice cast, with many familiar faces returning to reprise their roles. Jack Black leads the ensemble as Po, the lovable and clumsy panda who has grown into a confident and skilled warrior. Bryan Cranston returns as Li, Po’s biological father, who reunited with him in the previous film. The Furious Five, the elite group of kung fu masters who are Po’s friends and allies, are voiced by Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Viper, and David Cross as Crane.
The film also introduces some new characters, such as Zhen, a fox who becomes Po’s apprentice and potential successor. She is voiced by Awkwafina, the rapper and actress who has starred in films such as Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell. The main antagonist of the film is the Chameleon, a cunning and deceptive villain who can change his appearance and summon Po’s past foes. He is voiced by Ian McShane, who previously voiced Tai Lung, the snow leopard who was Po’s first nemesis.
Other notable voice actors in the film include Viola Davis as the Chameleon’s partner, a mysterious and powerful chameleon; Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Po’s former teacher and the leader of the Jade Palace; James Hong as Mr. Ping, Po’s adoptive father and the owner of the noodle shop; and Ke Huy Quan as Han, a Chinese fisher-fox who helps Po on his quest.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Is Directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine
Kung Fu Panda 4 is directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine, who have both worked on previous DreamWorks Animation projects. Mitchell is best known for directing Shrek Forever After, Trolls, and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Stine is a veteran storyboard artist and director who has worked on films such as How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Kung Fu Panda 3.
The film is written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, who have penned the scripts for all the previous Kung Fu Panda films, as well as other animated hits such as The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Trolls World Tour. The film is produced by Melissa Cobb, who has been the producer of the Kung Fu Panda franchise since the first film.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Is Set to Release on March 8, 2024
Kung Fu Panda 4 is scheduled to hit theaters on March 8, 2024, almost seven years after the release of Kung Fu Panda 3, which was a critical and commercial success, earning $521 million worldwide and receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. The film will be the fourth and final installment of the Kung Fu Panda series, which has been one of the most popular and acclaimed animated franchises of the 21st century, with a total gross of over $1.8 billion worldwide and a loyal fan base.
The film will also be the first Kung Fu Panda film to be released by Universal Pictures, which acquired DreamWorks Animation in 2016. The film will be distributed in 2D, 3D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema formats, promising a stunning and immersive cinematic experience for viewers.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is expected to be a thrilling and emotional conclusion to Po’s story, as he faces his biggest challenge yet and passes on his legacy to a new generation of heroes. The film will also be a celebration of the themes of friendship, family, and kung fu that have made the series so beloved by audiences of all ages.
