Kung Fu Panda 3 had come out back in 2016, and it looked like DreamWorks Animation was done with Po, but they’re apparently bringing him back for a fourth movie. It’s been a while since Kung Fu Panda 4 has been announced, but now we have some plot details.
According to DiscussingFilm, Kung Fu Panda 4 will have Po dealing with the next generation of Dragon Warrior. Here’s the post:
‘KUNG FU PANDA 4’ follows Po as he’s chosen to become the Spiritual Leader and must choose a new Dragon Warrior.
However, a new villain Chameleon wants to get Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains. pic.twitter.com/I7JxtEMYu2
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 12, 2023
Besides Jack Black returning to provide the voice of Po, Ian McShane has also been said to be returning to reprise the role of Tai Lung, the villain from the first movie. It’s also been reported that Awkwafina will be playing the part of Zhen, Po’s protégé and the next in line to be Dragon Warrior.
With the films pretty much having us follow Po’s evolution from a kung fu outsider to the Dragon Warrior, it’s going to be interesting to see him pass the torch, seeing that he doesn’t seem to be as zen as the masters that came before him.
If anything, it’s pretty much what Star Wars was doing with Luke Skywalker and Rey. Hopefully the fanbase of Kung Fu Panda will be more understanding of Po giving up the Dragon Warrior mantle in Kung Fun Panda 4; but this is the internet, so you can bet that a lot of grown men online are not going to take this news sitting down.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is set to come out in theaters on March 8, 2024.