The Kung Fu Panda 4 trailer sets up how the franchise’s three biggest villains can return, and their appearances look quite likely as a result. The first three Kung Fu Panda movies saw Po encounter a handful of powerful villains. His journey as the Dragon Warrior began by fighting Tai Lung in the original movie, before the sequel dove deeper into his backstory with the introduction of Lord Shen. Kung Fu Panda 3 then brought Kai into the picture, giving him the power to steal other people’s chi and have kung fu masters fight as his minions.
Po’s next opponent is slated to be The Chameleon, as revealed in the first Kung Fu Panda 4 trailer. The franchise’s new villain is voiced by Viola Davis and has shapeshifting powers, making for a fun mystical twist on the reptile’s usual physical transformation abilities. The footage released to this point showcases the threat level that The Chameleon poses to Po and the greater Kung Fu Panda universe. She is shown transforming into a number of opponents for the former Dragon Warrior, including a giant, evil version of himself. But, one line hinting at her plan sets up the franchise’s biggest villains returning.
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Kung Fu Panda 4’s Villain Story Means Tai Lung, Lord Shen, & Kai Must Return
Near the beginning of the trailer, The Chameleon’s plan for world domination is teased when she says she wants to possess the kung fu of every master villain. This includes showing Tai Lung is back in Kung Fu Panda 4. The return of Po’s first villain is directly tied to her plan, as The Chameleon is shown seemingly stealing and absorbing the kung fu abilities of the snow leopard. The Chameleon’s ability to then transform into Tai Lung is shown, but he is far from the only master villain that she should want.
If acquiring the skills of kung fu masters is her plan, then the rest of Kung Fu Panda‘s villains must return too. Lord Shen and Kai are both just as, if not more, powerful than Tai Lung. Considering The Chameleon seemingly accesses the Spirit Realm to bring Tai Lung back, the same could potentially be done for Lord Shen and Kai. Lord Shen was not shown to be in the Spirit Realm in Kung Fu Panda 3, but his assumed death in Kung Fu Panda 2 means he could also be there. While Kai appeared to be destroyed once and for all, there is always the chance his spirit reformed in the afterlife.
Po’s Villains Returning In Kung Fu Panda 4 Can Deliver The Ultimate Team-Up
Seeing Po’s former villains return in Kung Fu Panda 4 could come with an unexpected team-up twist element. Since The Chameleon wants to steal kung fu from all previous master villains, it is possible that she leaves all of them powerless and without their hard-earned skills. Instead of Kung Fu Panda 4 doing a villain team-up where Po’s greatest enemies come back in harmony to bring him down, the movie could explore him teaching them on the condition they will be heroes. That creates an exciting possibility where Kung Fu Panda 4 could show Po, Tai Lung, Lord Shen, and Kai all fighting together to defeat The Chameleon.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.
- 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
