“Kung Fu Panda 4”, an animated martial arts comedy, hit screens in 2024, courtesy of DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures. Serving as the fourth installment in the Kung Fu Panda series and a follow-up to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), the film was helmed by Mike Mitchell, with Stephanie Ma Stine as co-director and Darren Lemke and the writing duo Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger penning the script. Rebecca Huntley produced the feature. The movie sees the return of familiar voices like Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, and Ian McShane, reprising their roles from previous films. Joining the cast are Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, Lori Tan Chinn, and Viola Davis as new characters. The plot follows Po (voiced by Black), on a quest to find and train his successor as the new Dragon Warrior. Teaming up with fox bandit Zhen (Awkwafina), they aim to defeat the malevolent sorceress, The Chameleon (Davis), before she steals the kung-fu abilities of all masters in China.
Talks about a potential fourth installment surfaced before the release of the third film, and DreamWorks officially confirmed the project in August 2022. Mitchell, Ma Stine, and Huntley were attached as director, co-director, and producer, respectively, by April 2023. The core voice cast was announced in December 2023, with Awkwafina joining earlier that year. Hans Zimmer returned as composer, collaborating with Steve Mazzaro, while some production assets were sourced from Jellyfish Pictures. Premiering at the AMC 14 Theater at The Grove in Los Angeles on March 3, 2024, Kung Fu Panda 4 hit theaters in the United States on March 8. The film garnered positive reviews from critics and amassed over $534 million worldwide, ranking as the third highest-grossing film of 2024.
CHARACTERS
- Jack Black lends his voice to Po, a giant panda transitioning into a spiritual leader after relinquishing his role as the Dragon Warrior. He also voices The Chameleon’s impersonation of Po.
- Awkwafina portrays Zhen, a corsac fox and wanted thief who accompanies Po on his journey. She also voices The Chameleon’s imitation of Zhen.
- Viola Davis portrays The Chameleon, a malevolent shape-shifting chameleon sorceress capable of mimicking others’ kung fu abilities by absorbing them, and serves as Zhen’s superior.
- Dustin Hoffman voices Master Shifu, a sagacious red panda and Po’s mentor.
- James Hong voices Mr. Ping, a Chinese goose and Po’s adoptive father.
- Bryan Cranston voices Li Shan, Po’s biological father.
- Ian McShane portrays Tai Lung, a snow leopard and former disciple turned villain, previously banished to the Spirit Realm by Po in the first film and captured by General Kai in the third film. The Chameleon resurrects him to serve as a secondary antagonist in this installment. McShane also voices The Chameleon’s version of Tai Lung.
- Ke Huy Quan voices Han, a Sunda pangolin and leader of a group of thieves.
- Lori Tan Chinn voices Granny Boar, an elderly female boar skilled in using her tusks as weapons.
- Ronny Chieng voices Captain Fish, a green arowana residing in a pelican’s mouth, possibly his adoptive mother.
- Harry Shum Jr. voices Scott, a fire-breathing crocodile banished to the Spirit Realm by Po.
STORYLINE
In the Valley of Peace, Po assists Li Shan and Mr. Ping in launching their new restaurant. However, Master Shifu informs Po that he must transition to a spiritual leader role, necessitating that he relinquish his title as the Dragon Warrior and find a suitable replacement. Struggling with the decision, Po encounters Zhen, a fox bandit attempting to steal ancient weapons from the Jade Palace. Despite apprehending Zhen, Po learns from mine workers that Tai Lung has resurfaced and caused significant destruction. Zhen discloses that Tai Lung’s return was orchestrated by The Chameleon, a sorceress capable of shape-shifting and mimicking kung fu techniques. With Zhen’s help, Po travels to Juniper City to confront The Chameleon, unaware that his concerned fathers are trailing him. Encountering obstacles along the way, they seek refuge in the Den of Thieves, led by Han, a friend of Zhen’s. As they approach The Chameleon’s lair, Po is captured, and Zhen’s true allegiance is revealed; she was working as a double agent for The Chameleon. Despite a near-fatal encounter, Po’s fathers remind him of the value of change.
Utilizing the Staff of Wisdom, The Chameleon harnesses the abilities of deceased kung fu masters. Reuniting with Zhen, Po refuses to retreat, prompting Ping, Li, and Zhen to seek help from the Den of Thieves. In a climactic showdown, Po engages The Chameleon, who assumes the forms of multiple masters. Ultimately, Po entrusts the Staff of Wisdom to Zhen, who defeats The Chameleon. Acknowledged by the masters, Po selects Zhen as his successor, much to Shifu’s dismay. Together with the Furious Five, they embark on training Zhen to become the next Dragon Warrior.
