When will Kung Fu Panda 4 be released?

After a short hiatus, Jack Black is set to return as animation’s favourite monochrome fighter in Kung Fu Panda 4 in a new story that comes complete with some new big-name voice stars.

First released in 2008, the original Kung Fu Panda saw Black lend his voice to Po, a clumsy giant panda who is unexpectedly chosen as the centrepiece of an ancient prophecy that says he'll become the fabled Dragon Warrior.

Despite not being the most obvious choice for the job, Po defies the odds to punch, kick and fight his way to proving all of his prophecy naysayers wrong, emerging as an unlikely champion.

Flanked by a starry ensemble cast that boasted Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Lui and Jackie Chan, the film became a hit with audiences, ultimately spawning a 2011 sequel and another in 2016.

While an animated spin-off series kept fans happy in the interim, talk of a fourth film was never too far away and in August 2022 it was finally confirmed. With its release speeding towards us faster than a furry-footed roundhouse kick, here’s everything we know about Kung Fu Panda 4 so far.

When will Kung Fu Panda 4 be released?

Kung Fu Panda 4 is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on Thursday, 28 March.

Is there a trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4?

There is. The first trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 was released in December 2023, giving us our first real look at Po’s latest adventure.

The two-minute teaser wasted no time getting to the crux of the story, explaining that Po will soon relinquish his role of being the Dragon Warrior in favor of a new position - but not before he can find a replacement.

To make matters worse, there’s a new threat on the horizon that threatens to release some unfriendly faces from Po’s past. Watch the full trailer below.

Shortly afterwards, as Dune 2 was gearing up for its theatrical release, Dreamworks released a newer look at the movie with a tongue-in-cheek poke at Denis Villeneuve's sandy sequel.

What is the plot of Kung Fu Panda 4?

As detailed above, Kung Fu Panda 4 will see Po forced to leave his role as Dragon Warrior in order to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

However, while he searches for a worthy successor to the Dragon Warrior mantle, a new baddie named Chameleon emerges and sets her sights on Po’s Staff of Wisdom. If this sly reptilian sorceress manages to get ahold of it, she’ll be able to resurrect all of the master villains from Po’s rogues gallery from the spirit realm.

“So, Po’s going to need some help,” explains the movie’s official synopsis. Thankfully he finds it in corsac fox Zhen - a “crafty, quick-witted thief” 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.”

Who’s in Kung Fu Panda 4?

Black returns to voice Po for the first time since 2016’s Kung Fu Panda 3.

He’s once again joined by Hoffman as his serene sensei and Kung Fu master, Shifu, Everything Everywhere All At Once stand-out James Hong as his adaptive goose father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s maternal father Li and Ian McShane as original franchise big bad Tai Lung.

Hong’s Everything Everywhere All At Once co-star Ke Huy Quan joins the sequel as new character Han, leader of the Den of Thieves, with Viola Davis playing the evil Chameleon and Awkwafina as Po’s fox frenemy Zhen.

As if all that wasn’t good enough, music maestro Hans Zimmer will also return to write a new score for the sequel.

Kung Fu Panda 4 will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday, 28 March.