Kung Fu Panda 4 is finally happening after an 8-year hiatus from the big screen and comes with plenty of questions that need to be answered and moments that need to happen. The movies follow the adventures of a lovable, big panda named Po as he learns kung fu, makes friends, and defeats kung fu villains from all around China. Kung Fu Panda 4 will continue this storyline as Po teams up with a fox named Zhen to fight a villain named The Chameleon and searches for his successor as the Dragon Warrior.
Grossing over $524 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), the Kung Fu Panda franchise is one of Dreamworks’ most successful ever and has had several TV spinoffs and three blockbuster movies. With a few box office disappointments for Dreamworks over the past several years, Kung Fu Panda 4‘s success is also paramount to the survival of the franchise. Included in this new movie is the inclusion of the first female Kung Fu Panda villain. A lot has yet to be revealed about Kung Fu Panda 4‘s story, but some things need to happen in the next film.
10 Pandas Finally Coming Out of Hiding
No longer forced to hide due to Shen
With Lord Shen finally gone in Kung Fu Panda 2, it would make sense for the pandas to come out of hiding at last. Audiences saw plenty of panda action in The Paws of Destiny and at the end of Kung Fu Panda 3. The next movie should cover the lives of the pandas as they learn to reintegrate with the Valley of Peace and the rest of the world. With several Kung Fu Panda villains confirmed to return to Kung Fu Panda 4, the pandas may find themselves in danger yet again and will have to help Po in his journey to defeat The Chameleon.
9 Po Finally Getting a Love Interest
Could either be Tigress or Zhen
Po’s love life is rarely touched on in the Kung Fu Panda universe. The only time audiences see any inkling of this is in Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, season 2, episode 21, “Bride of Po”. While Po does not end up not getting married by the end of the episode, it brings attention to the private life of the Dragon Warrior. Po has grown on an emotional level during the movies, and it only makes sense to finally give Po a love interest to help him settle down. With the introduction of Awkwafina’s character, Zhen, it is entirely possible that Po could finally settle down with someone.
8 Learning More About Po’s Mother
Discovering who she is and her background
Po’s mother is only mentioned and seen in flashbacks in Kung Fu Panda 2 and 3. Little is known about her other than what Li Shan tells Po, describing her as being “smart, beautiful, tremendous appetite.” Audiences do not see anything or know anything about Po’s mother, other than she presumably gave her life for Po. Her name is never mentioned and learning more about her could be a huge part of Po’s journey as the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. Dreamworks is known for throwing in shocking reveals and bringing characters back in ways that studios only dream about.
7 With Tai Lung Coming Back, Other Villains Should Too
Repeat villains to remind Po how far he’s come
Kung Fu Panda 4‘s trailer showed Tai Lung coming back from the dead, quite literally, thanks to the powers of Chameleon. As a result, it would make sense to bring back Lord Shen, the villain from Kung Fu Panda 2 as well as any other villain. Despite his accepting defeat in Kung Fu Panda 2 and being crushed by a cannon, it is entirely possible to bring him back to face Po again. The Chameleon has shown in the trailer that she is capable of bringing back anyone from the dead, so bringing back the villains of both the television series and the movies would make sense.
In a recent interview with Collider, director Mike Mitchell stated that several unnamed villains are coming back that fans would recognize and love. It could also help round out Po’s story and expand on his emotional growth since the beginning of the franchise. When audiences first met Po, he was struggling with his self-esteem and believing in himself. Every time he fights a villain, he grows on an emotional level. There are two more Kung Fu Panda movies planned for the franchise and having villains return will help set Po up for more adventures and give him a reason to fight once again.
6 What Tai Lung Has Been Doing Since His Defeat
The Spiritual Realm isn’t a Permanent Solution
Despite being defeated by Po in Kung Fu Panda, Tai Lung is set to return to the Valley of Peace in Kung Fu Panda 4. In Kung Fu Panda, Tai Lung was locked away for 20 years as a result of destroying the Valley of Peace after being denied the Dragon Scroll. Since Tai Lung was presumably defeated and sent to the Spirit Realm after his defeat in Kung Fu Panda, there is no way of knowing what he has been doing since then. Kung Fu Panda 4 should reveal that and more, including the fact that the Spiritual Realm is no longer a permanent solution.
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The Kung Fu Panda franchise has introduced some truly remarkable villains to face Po, but which were the most powerful of the movies and TV shows?
5 What the Furious Five Are Up To
Reported to be minor players
Given their role in the TV series and movies, the Furious Five should play a prominent role in Kung Fu Panda 4. Despite making no appearances in the trailer, it has been confirmed that all members of the Furious Five will return in a minor role. With each member off on individual journeys, the movie may mostly show Po only on his own while staying in touch with the Furious Five. The Furious Five has been there for Po since his first day as Dragon Warrior. Similar to a parent wishing a child well at graduation, Po should “graduate” to the next step with the Five wishing him well.
4 Mr. Ping’s New Life With Forouzan
Finding love at last
Po’s dad has been a mainstay in the franchise since its inception. Audiences were shocked to learn in Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight that the mild-mannered goose was once a pirate who faked his death. His relationship with Po and his new life with his girlfriend Forouzan should be covered in Kung Fu Panda 4 or at least mentioned. Since multiple characters are confirmed to return, what he’s been up to since the conclusion of The Dragon Knight should influence the plot. Po’s relationship with his adopted father has been through a lot since the first film, so it makes sense that Mr. Ping stays involved in Po’s adventures.
3 Characters from the Television Shows Should Appear
Seeing how other characters react to Po no longer being Dragon Warrior
Kung Fu Panda‘s universe is huge and diverse, with characters of all different species and personalities. With the series, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny, and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, tons of new characters were introduced to the franchise. Po has met many in his adventures, from the bumbling Croc Bandits in Legends of Awesomeness to the adventurous panda kids from The Paws of Destiny. Kung Fu Panda 4 is a great way to revisit Po’s accomplishments over the years as he prepares to step down and hand the role of Dragon Warrior to the next generation.
2 More Fight Scenes with Kung Fu Masters Around the World
Powers from different masters and different abilities
The third movie brought up mentions of masters located around China falling victim to Kai, so it only seems reasonable to bring back more kung fu masters and add some new masters to help with the battle against the Chameleon. With The Chameleon getting her powers from anyone and anywhere, returning kung fu masters from the series and the movies make sense. This supernatural villain could even go as far as to leave China to garner her powers. Kung fu schools are open all around the world, and expanding on the Kung Fu Panda universe could pave the way for the next two films in the franchise.
1 One of the Major Characters May Sacrifice Themselves
Will Shifu sacrifice himself to save the Valley of Peace?
Dreamworks’ Animation movies don’t shy away from killing off major characters or throwing in shocking plotlines that could change the course of a character’s life. Even though the film series is not over yet, with two more movies being released in the coming years, losing this character could have an impact on Po’s life. Master Shifu has been around since the franchise’s inception in 2008 and has played a role in Po’s training as the Dragon Warrior. Now that Po is the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, Shifu’s role may be reduced or eliminated from the Kung Fu Panda world permanently.
With Tai Lung confirmed to return in the new trailer, Shifu’s inner peace may be disrupted once again as he may face off against his adoptive son. Given that the snow leopard nearly killed Shifu in their previous battle, he may succeed this time around and bring out a new side of Po that no one has seen. Shifu’s role is now what Oogway’s role was in Kung Fu Panda, so having Shifu ascend to the Spiritual Realm or having him go down in a fight to protect Po could be a fitting way to exit the character in Kung Fu Panda 4.
Kung Fu Panda 4
- Release Date
- March 29, 2024
- Director
- Mike Mitchell , Stephanie Stine
- Cast
- Jack Black , Awkwafina , Viola Davis , Dustin Hoffman , James Hong , Bryan Cranston , Ian McShane , Ke Huy Quan
- Rating
- Not Yet Rated
Sources: Box Office Mojo, Collider
