LOS ANGELES – From DreamWorks Animation—the studio that brought you "How to Train Your Dragon," "Shrek," and the Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated "Kung Fu Panda"—comes the latest adventures of one of the most unlikely heroes ever to transition from noodle shop employee to kung fu master.
In "Kung Fu Panda 2" Po (Jack Black) is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie); Monkey (Jackie Chan); Mantis (Seth Rogen); Viper (Lucy Liu); and Crane (David Cross). Also returning is Dustin Hoffman as the kung fu guru and Po's mentor, Master Shifu, and James Hong as Mr. Ping, Po's father and owner of the most popular noodle shop in the village.
Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins—only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Additional new cast members include Michelle Yeoh as the Soothsayer in service to Lord Shen, whose visions of the future play a key role in the destiny to come; Danny McBride as Shen's minion, the Wolf Boss; and Dennis Haysbert as Master Storming Ox. The cast also features action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme as Master Croc and Victor Garber as Master Thundering Rhino.
Also see: Kung Fu Panda 2 Premiere Red Carpet Photos
Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the director of 'Kung Fu Panda 2," had three different titles on first "Kung Fu Panda" – Head of Story, Actions Sequences Supervisor and Dream Sequence Director. And just as Po followed his path to becoming the Dragon Warrior, Nelson had her own journey.
States producer Melissa Cobb, "Jen was there from the beginning, and was really instrumental in helping to shape the story. If there is anyone who knows this material, these characters and this world, it is Jen. Her becoming the director of 'Kung Fu Panda 2' was the most natural progression imaginable."
Says Nelson, "I grew up with Hong Kong action movies, and I brought that sensibility as Head of Story on 'Kung Fu Panda.' I was pretty gung ho for all of us to be in that mindset, and I continued that push on this film. I think one of the keys is that we're all conversant in that vernacular now. And in working on 'Kung Fu Panda 2,' that shared experience has come with us, and it informs the story we are telling and the manner in which it is told. Our goal was to take 'Kung Fu Panda' and Po to the next level."
- Comment
