Universal has released a new trailer for “Kung Fu Panda 4,” the latest chapter of the hilarious animated cinematic franchise that follows Po, a martial arts panda who defies expectations.
The fourth chapter of the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise sees Jack Black reprise the role of Po, the dragon warrior who is about to embark on his newest journey: enlightenment. After defeating an assortment of animal villains and making familial discoveries, our hero is being prepped to be Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. While some say he is ready to take on such a responsibility, he has to find and train a successor who can assume the role of Dragon Warrior. Not an easy job for a Panda who has dreamed of becoming a warrior.
However, a new villain, appropriately named Chameleon (Viola Davis), poses a threat to everything Po knows. Her shape-shifting powers allow her to possess all of the martial arts skills of those she copies. Now, she has her eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, a powerful tool that would give her and her army the ability to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.
So Po is going to need an army of her own, and she recruits quick-witted thief Zhen (Golden Globe winner Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable.
“Kung Fu Panda 4” also features the voices of James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane and Ke Huy Quan.
Directed by Mike Mitchell, with Stephanie Ma Stine co-directing, “Kung Fu Panda 4” opens in theaters on March 8, 2024.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Kung Fu Panda 4:”
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.
