Jack Black talks about ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’, in PH cinemas March 6

“Returning to play Po feels like reconnecting with an old friend who’s still as awesome and goofy as ever,” says Golden Globe nominee Jack Black about one of his most beloved characters.

After three fantastic adventures as the legendary Dragon Warrior, destiny calls for Po to take the next step and fill Oogway’s shoes as the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace in “Kung Fu Panda 4.”

“Po’s journey this time around as the Spiritual Leader adds a whole new layer to his personality,” says Black. “He has a new depth to him, like this whole ‘wise and allknowing’ thing, but, at the same time, part of him wonders, ‘Can I really do this?” he continues. ‘Am I wise enough to step into these shoes? Can you be the wisest dude in the room and still crack a joke?’ Po thinks so. And he’s out there trying, and that’s what makes Po so awesome. The most rewarding part is seeing Po evolve emotionally, going from a noodleslurping warrior to a spiritual leader with a heart as big as his appetite.”

Director Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, Trolls) is also impressed by Black’s emotional depth as Po. “It’s no secret that Jack is one of the funniest actors of all time,” Mitchell says. “But he’s so much more than that. He’s a terrific actor and he really finds the emotional core of each scene. That’s something you wouldn’t expect in an animated family film, but he’s really good at finding that emotional depth.”

As a new villain threatens his world, Po must team up with a Corsac fox thief named Zhen, voiced by Golden Globe winner Awkwafina, to help defeat this villain and restore peace.

“Diving into Zhen’s world in ‘Kung Fu Panda’ 4 was a blast,” Awkwafina says. “The character’s toughness and cleverness immediately caught my attention – there’s a fun mischievousness to her that I found intriguing. And of course, the opportunity to become a part of the Kung Fu Panda universe, a franchise that has not only entertained but profoundly touched the lives of countless fans, was an offer I couldn’t resist.”

The Kung Fu Panda films, and Po’s evolution, Black says, have had a profound effect on him. “Kung Fu Panda is like my happy place – Po and the gang are like family,” he says. “It’s the humor, the heart, the whole package that brings me back. My perspective on Po has grown, too. He started as this bumbling panda with dreams of being a kung fu master, and now he’s becoming the Spiritual Leader. And just knowing that

Po’s adventures have resonated with audiences worldwide and being part of that legacy… it’s an honor, man.”

Since his three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior, 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.

Before he can assume his new position (of which Po knows nothing about), he must first find and train a new Dragon Warrior. But a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, 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.

To stop Chameleon, Po finds help in the form of crafty, quickwitted thief Zhen, 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.

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Academy Award® winner Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master, Shifu; James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping; Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father, Li; and Emmy Award nominee Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves.

A must-watch for the entire family, “Kung Fu Panda 4”, distributed by Universal Pictures International, opens in Philippine cinemas March 6.