DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures have released the official trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 — the latest installment in the blockbuster martial arts action-comedy franchise, starring Jack Black. Ahead of the film’s March 8 theatrical debut, fans got a more in-depth look at the sinister power-snatching abilities of The Chameleon, and a crafty new ally for Po guides viewers through a colorful city of criminals.
Official synopsis:
After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.
Even worse, 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.
So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of 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.
The fourth film also features returning voice stars 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 Mike Mitchell (Trolls, Shrek Forever After), co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) and produced by Rebecca Huntley (The Bad Guys).
Upon its release in 2008, the first Kung Fu Panda movie became DreamWorks Animation’s highest-grossing original feature and earned an Oscar nomination. Since then, the KFP franchise has grossed more than $1.8 billion at the global box office.
