A fourth Kung Fu Panda could very well be in the pipeline. While there’s no formal announcement yet but there are clues that indicate that a fourth installment could possibly be in the works.
A Trail of Dumplings
On August 2, 2018, Kung Fu Panda 3’s co-director Jennifer Yuh Nelson was asked about making a fourth movie. While she said that she always saw the series as a trilogy, she did add that she was open for a fourth installment as long as the franchise still focuses on Po, a lovable panda slash kung fu master, and the star of the franchise.
Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said that the series could see three more sequels after the third movie back in 2016. After Kung Fu Panda 3, bringing it to a six-film series.
So, it’s safe to say that Kung Fu Panda 4 is happening but we can also expect fifth and sixth installments to the franchise.
Reprising Roles
There have also been rumors that the original cast will be back for the fourth movie in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Jack Black, the voice behind Po, is making a comeback. The same goes for the other Hollywood heavyweights who lent their voices to the first free animated films.
Other actors such as Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Seth Rogen as Master Mantis, Lucy Liu as Viper, and Jackie Chan as Monkey will join the fourth movie.
Sources say that majority of the actors from the previous movies will be back to voice their respective characters in the fourth movie.
Filming Halted
Production on the fourth Kung Fu Panda film has been halted due to Covid-19 pandemic worldwide. As of this writing, there are 1.7 million people who’ve tested positive for the virus.
Needless to say, the coronavirus outbreak has had a broad and negative impact on the entire entertainment industry. It has forced all the movie and television productions to cease or postpone their activities.
Given the current situation, it’s hard to say when the exact release period of the fourth movie in the Kung Fu Panda franchise will be as the global situation only seems to be getting worse.
Still, we remain optimistic that a vaccine will be available before the year is out so our favorite black and white kung fu master will be back on the big screen in 2021 or later.
