With Dune: Part Two hitting theaters this Friday, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures dropped a new, short trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 that playfully riffs on the new sci-fi epic. You can check out the delightful new “Sand & Spice” trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 below:
THE DRAGON WARRIOR RETURNS IN KUNG FU PANDA 4
It’s hard to believe that while Dune: Part Two is hitting theaters on Friday, March 1, Kung Fu Panda 4 will be out in theaters just a week later. This movie’s release date really sneaks up on you.
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In the upcoming four-quel, the one and only Jack Black returns as Po the Panda, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master. In this new adventure, Po, the Dragon Warrior, is called upon by destiny to “give it a rest already.” He’s been tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. However, that causes some problems. Po has no idea how to be a spiritual leader, and he also has to train and find a new Dragon Warrior before he can ascend to his new lofty position.
On top of that, Po also faces a new wicked, powerful sorceress named Chameleon (Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, including Po’s deadliest enemies. Chameleon has her eyes on Po’s staff which would allow her to re-summon all the villains Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.
This means Po will need some help. He finds it with the witty thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who gets under Po’s fur but has invaluable skills in his mission. To free the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s claws, this oddball duo will now have to work together. Po will learn that heroes can be found in the most unexpected of places.
Back from the previous movies are Dustin Hoffman as Po’s Kung Fu master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s biological father Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, the villain of the original film. Also joining the cast is Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves.
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The new sequel is directed by Mike Mitchell (Trolls, Shrek Forever After) and co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power). The franchise has collectively earned more than $1.8 billion over three films.
Kung Fu Panda 4 debuts in theaters on March 8.
About Kung Fu Panda 4
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Director: Mike Mitchell
Producer: Rebecca Huntley
Co-Director: Stephanie Ma Stine
Production: DreamWorks Animation
Distribution: Universal Pictures
Genre: Animated Comedy Adventure
Cast: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane and Ke Huy Quan
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.
What did you think of the trailer? Did you like the way Kung Fu Panda 4 had fun riffing on the Dune film franchise? Do you plan on seeing both films in theaters next month, or are you only picking one? Let us know your thoughts about the new clip on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures
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