Jack Black returns as Po, called upon by destiny – and Master Shifu - to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, only to find a wicked, powerful, shapeshifting sorceress, Chameleon, with greedy eyes on the powerful Staff of Wisdom, standing in his way and threatening to unleash every master villain ever vanquished to the spirit realm; from DreamWorks Animation, coming to theaters March 8, 2024.
Just when you thought it safe to slyly – or not so slyly – sneak a cookie while your master unveils for you an even more important and greater path of destiny... Skadoosh!
Coming to theaters on March 8, 2024, back after almost a decade, Jack Black returns as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, in what promises to be a hilarious, butt-kicking, snack-appreciating new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s famed action-comedy franchise: Kung Fu Panda 4.
In the film, Po, the Dragon Warrior, ever unsure about his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, is called upon by destiny to … consider a meal at the absolute worst possible moment. But also, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
Problematic, yes. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet (yes, that’s in the One-Sheet). Second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.
But trouble lies ahead because this is a movie. There’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Oscar winner Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.
Director Mike Mitchell told AWN, “The Chameleon is the smallest villain Po has ever gone up against. But Viola Davis gives her the biggest voice. You’ll never think that she's small in our film. She's also smarter than most of the villains Po’s gone up against. She’s calculating... she’s a supernatural sorceress with more skills than any villain before her.”
Po’s going to need some help because this is a movie. He finds it, albeit not easily, in a crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Golden Globe winner Awkwafina), a corsac fox who “really gets under Po’s fur” but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places. Because movies need heroes!
Co-director Stephanie Ma Stine shared, “Awkwafina did an incredible job matching Jack Black's comedy skills. The emotional range she brings as this very subtle, nuanced, complicated character who challenges Po’s world views... their dynamic is one of the most exciting new things that we're bringing to this franchise.”
Prepare to enter the Valley of Peace… and adventure!
The film features the returning voice talent of Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master, Shifu; James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping; Academy Award nominee Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father, Li, and Emmy Award nominee Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is directed by Mitchell (DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, Shrek Forever After) and produced by Rebecca Huntley (DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys). The film’s co-director is Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power).
Source: DreamWorks Animation
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
