In the latest addition to the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise, the Netflix series “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight,” the beloved character Po, voiced by Jack Black, finds himself in a different role. Instead of being a hero, Po is no longer in style as the Dragon Master. The series explores the challenges and adventures that await Po as he navigates this new phase of his life.
“Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” will see the return of Jack Black as the voice of Po, marking his reprisal of the character since 2016’s “Kung Fu Panda 3.” In that film, Po achieved the esteemed title of Dragon Master and reunited with his biological father after triumphing over his guru Oogway’s old enemy, Kai. A spin-off series called “Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny” premiered on Prime Video in 2019, but it did not feature Jack Black as the voice of Po. The series followed the events of “Kung Fu Panda 3.”
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight — Trailer
DreamWorks Animation is revisiting the world of “Kung Fu Panda” with the release of the first trailer for the upcoming sequel series, “The Dragon Knight.” The trailer showcases the exciting return of Jack Black, the beloved actor who voices the character Po the Kung Fu Panda. “The Dragon Knight” will continue the story as a series and is set to be released on Netflix.
In the new trailer, Po’s world initially appears normal as he continues to enjoy his noodle bowls and use his catchphrase “Skadoosh.” However, things take a turn when he accidentally destroys the entire village while trying to stop the evil weasels, Klaus and Veruca Dumont. This leads to disappointment from the townspeople, who no longer see Po as a hero. To make matters worse, Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping, informs him that the local dumpling shop has discarded a box of Po’s Dragon Master figurines. It’s a tough blow for Po, both in terms of his reputation and personal loss.
But amidst the challenges, a new opportunity arises for Po in the form of British knight Luthera, also known as “The Wandering Blade” and portrayed by Rita Ora. Luthera arrives in Po’s village seeking The Dragon Master, to which Po modestly responds that it’s him, albeit with a pending title. It appears that China is once again facing a threat, with the troublesome weasels causing trouble. Po realizes that embarking on a quest to save his country could be the perfect chance to regain the favor and respect of his fellow villagers.
Apart from Po and his father, the trailer primarily introduces new characters such as Luthera, Klaus, and Veruca. Notably, Po’s veteran companions Tigress, Mantis, Monkey, Viper, and Crane are absent from the teaser, leaving their involvement in the series uncertain.
Background
In 2008, the animated film Kung Fu Panda introduced audiences to Po, a clumsy and enthusiastic panda who becomes the chosen Dragon Warrior. Alongside the Furious Five, a group of skilled kung fu warriors, Po embarks on a mission to defeat the villainous Tai Lung and protect the Valley of Peace. The film features an all-star cast including Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, Dan Fogler, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Jackie Chan. It received positive reviews for its performances, martial arts action, humor, and spiritual themes, and became one of the highest-grossing movies of the year.
The success of Kung Fu Panda led to the creation of a franchise that includes multiple spin-offs and television shows. The Dragon Knight is the third Kung Fu Panda series and the ninth overall spin-off of the original 2008 movie. Before The Dragon Knight, there were the main trilogy of films, four short films, a holiday special, and two other TV shows that expanded the Kung Fu Panda universe and offered fans more adventures with the beloved characters.
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight Sees Po Return and Save the World
The official synopsis for Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight has been released. It describes how Jack Black returns as Po in the new series, where he must embark on a quest for redemption and justice. When a pair of weasels target a collection of powerful weapons, Po teams up with a no-nonsense English knight named Wandering Blade. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting adventure to find the magical weapons and save the world from destruction, all while learning from each other along the way.
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight — Release Date
The upcoming eleven-episode series, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, tells the story of Po (Jack Black) and his encounter with Wandering Blade (Rita Ora). Together, they embark on a mission to save the world from destruction caused by a mysterious pair of weasels. The trailer showcases the contrasting personalities of the lighthearted Po and the intense and no-nonsense Wandering Blade, highlighting the challenges they face in working together. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight is set to premiere on Netflix on July 14, 2022.
