‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Trailer Has a ‘Dune’ Vibe

Po strikes a Timothee Chalamet in Dune pose as the “Sand & Spice” trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 begins, followed by new scenes of the goofy panda in action. The first new Kung Fu Panda film in a decade is set to open in theaters on March 8, 2024.

Jack Black returns to lead a voice cast that includes Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, and Ke Huy Quan. Mike Mitchell (Trolls, Shrek Forever After) directs, with Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) co-directing and Rebecca Huntley producing.

DreamWorks Animation offers this lengthy synopsis:

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

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon 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.

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), 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.

• Review of Kung Fu Panda 4