Dreamworks had some fun things to tease at CinemaCon this year. According to The Hollywood Reporterwhile the upcoming episode for Trolls got some help from Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, jacket black took to the stage to deliver big news about the upcoming Kung Fu Panda 4. The film is scheduled for release on March 8, 2024.
Black delivers a dramatic monologue, detailing the upcoming movie in which “Po faces his biggest challenge yet. Will he survive?” Considering Po’s track record in saving China, that’s a tall order!
According to Black, Kung Fu Panda 4 introduces Po as he prepares to become the new spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. But to take on this new title, he must find a successor to assume the role of the chosen Dragon Warrior. Po takes on an apprentice himself. But along the way, a new villain approaches! This new enemy is the Chameleon, who has the power to summon bad guys from the past. Po must fight his way through all these bad guys to save the day.
The Dragon Warrior rises again
When you think of Dreamworks and their biggest franchises, Kung Fu Panda is near the top of the list. The first film premiered in 2008 and was a huge success with critics, audiences and at the box office! The film was praised for its slapstick humor and sincere message, you could even call it the perfect Zen film. Naturally, Dreamworks followed up Kung Fu Panda 2 in 2011. Like its predecessor, the film was a huge success at the box office. Critics praised the film for being just as funny as the first one, but also for enhancing the emotional and dark elements. Kung Fu Panda 3 found its way to theaters in 2016, this time on a lighter route, but continuing Po’s journey as before. The third installment was also a huge success at the box office, further proving that the series was a strong contender in the Dreamworks library. When Collider When asked about the possibility of more adventures with Po, director Jennifer Yuh Nelson says quality is the top priority before rushing to another installment.
We always try to make the very best film we’re working on. It’s one by one. We want to make it into a perfect jewel and then we’ll see what happens next. Right now, we’re really focused on making this the best movie possible. We want to take pride in our work and make sure it is worthy of the talent of the animators, who spent four years of love, sweat and tears on it.
Co-director Alessandro Carloni agreed to chime in.
With the sequels, we don’t want to try to make them open-ended. We want it to feel like a completed journey, and we feel this movie does. And then, when a great story comes along, great.
While Dreamworks has been working on the perfect story, like Mr. Ping’s famous recipes, Po has a different kind of adventure. In the original Netflix series Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Po teams up with an unlikely ally in the form of Luthera, a knight from England. The two go in search of four elemental weapons of great power. Season 1 premiered in July 2022 and Season 2 premiered in January 2023. While Kung Fu Panda fans have been waiting a long time to see Po’s return to the big screen, the countdown has officially begun!