Jack Black Is Back With Kung Fu Panda 4
Going strong since 2008, the Kung Fu Panda franchise has been a success in its own right. The first film became DreamWorks Animation’s highest-grossing animated original and the franchise all together has earned more than $1.8 billion at the global box office. Kung Fu Panda has long been a trilogy, but is now adding a fourth film to the docket. This spring, for the first time in almost a decade, comedy legend Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the titular kung fu panda master, for a new adventurous chapter in the beloved action-comedy franchise: Kung Fu Panda 4.
After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and unbelievable martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior, voiced by none other than the Golden Globe nominee, is called upon by destiny to… give it a rest already? Po is tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. This doesn’t bode well for Po. First off, we all know Po isn’t known for his worldly knowledge — he doesn’t know how to diet and isn’t too keen in the athleticism department — or the first thing about spiritual leadership. What he does know though, is that he loves food and that he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.
But, it wouldn’t be a Po-venture without some opposing forces trying to take down the lovable and hilarious panda. But, seriously, who would want to hurt Po?! While Po is finding his footing in his new assumed role, there is a sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress who goes by the name of Chameleon, voiced by the otherworldly Viola Davis. Chameleon is a tiny lizard who can shape shift into any creature, large or small. Chameleon wants one thing and one thing only — and Po has it. Chameleon’s eyes are set on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would finally give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.
So Po’s going to need some help, to say the least. He finds it in the form of the crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina. Zhen is a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur, but whose skills will prove invaluable in his pursuit. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.
The film also features the voice talent of returning stars Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. The incredible Ke Huy Quan also joins the ensemble as Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is directed by Mike Mitchell behind DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Shrek Forever After and produced by Rebecca Huntley who also did DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys. The film’s co-director is Stephanie Ma Stine who worked on She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
Kung Fu Panda 4 will hit theaters in March 8, 2024. See the exciting announcement, below:
