Viola Davis Joins Voice Cast of ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ [TRAILER]

UPDATED WITH TRAILER

Viola Davis is set to join the cast of Kung Fu Panda 4, adding her talent to DreamWorks Animation’s beloved franchise. Directed by Mike Mitchell and produced by Rebecca Huntley, the film continues the story of Po, the unconventional kung fu master, voiced by Jack Black.

Returning to their familiar roles are Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father Li, and Ian McShane as the formidable Tai Lung. Joining the ensemble is Ke Huy Quan, portraying Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves, injecting new energy into the Panda narrative.

The storyline evolves as Po faces a new challenge, being called to assume the role of the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. However, this presents a conundrum for Po, who is as clueless about spiritual leadership as he is about the paleo diet. Complicating matters further, he must swiftly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before taking on his elevated position.

The plot thickens with the introduction of a formidable adversary, Chameleon, a wicked sorceress with the ability to shapeshift, brought to life by the talented Viola Davis. Chameleon sets her sights on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, a powerful artifact that could re-summon all the master villains Po has previously defeated to the spirit realm.

To counter this impending threat, Po seeks assistance from Zhen, a crafty and quick-witted thief voiced by Awkwafina. Together, the comedic odd-couple duo embarks on a mission to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s nefarious plans, leading Po to discover that heroes can emerge from the most unexpected places.

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ will be in theaters March 8, 2024; watch the trailer below.

Kung Fu Panda 4, directed by Mike Mitchell and co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine, builds on the success of the franchise. The 2008 inaugural chapter became DreamWorks Animation’s highest-grossing original animated film, launching a franchise that has earned over $1.8 billion globally.