For years, the Kung Fu Panda films have inspired audiences new and old since the first film Kung Fu Panda was released in 2008. Following the epic adventures of Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), a new film Kung Fu Panda 4 was announced in 2022.
Most of the series cast is returning for the film. Jack Black (King Kong, Tropic Thunder) is obviously returning to voice Po The Dragon Warrior. James Hong is returning to voice Po’s goose stepdad. Dustin Hoffman is also returning to voice Master Shifu from the previous films. Furthermore, all of the furious five are expected to appear at some point in the film, despite being “off on their own individual missions” according to director Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, Trolls). The film will also see the return of Ian McShane as Tai Lung, the Leopard villain from the original film. Additionally, the other former villains Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) and General Kai (J.K Simmons) are rumored to be returning, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Awkwafina will voice Zhen, a fox who serves as an accomplice to Po in the new film. Additional newcomers include Ke Huy Quan (Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Viola Davis who will play The Chameleon, an evil shape-shifting sorceress who will serve as the main villain in the new film.
The series remains highly popular, and each film in the franchise has grossed over $500 million globally at the box office with Kung Fu Panda 2 grossing $665 million back in 2011. Kung Fu Panda 4 should have similar success; currently the film is trending well and has a strong buzz among younger audiences.
This film will be interesting to see if director Mike Mitchell’s approach to this fourthquel is similar to his approach to another fourthquel, Shrek Forever After (2010). That film featured an odd alternate reality plot that was met with mixed reception. Given the film will bring back old villains and more of the “Spirit Realm,” something similar might be in the cards.
Kung Fu Panda 4 will pick up where the 3rd film left off and continue Po’s story. This synopsis explains
“After Po is tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior, while a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.” – IMDB
So whether or not Kung Fu Panda (2008) is your favorite, or if it’s movie 2 or 3, Kung Fu Panda 4 will hopefully have similar success like its predecessors. If you like Dreamworks (Madagascar, Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, etc.), then you are going to like Kung Fu Panda 4.
Kung Fu Panda 4 will kick some Kung Fu grass exclusively in theaters on March 8th, 2024.
