While we’re excited about Inside Out being released today, Pixar isn’t the only animation studio on the block. Often considered their rival, DreamWorks hasn’t done badly for itself in the last handful of years and at the start of next year, it’ll release the third film in one of its most popular franchises: Kung Fu Panda! Check out the first trailer for it below.
In this third installment, all your favorites are back: Po (Jack Black), Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross), and Viper (Lucy Liu).
There will also be new voices and characters like Po’s father, Li, voiced by Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame. He won’t be the only new panda around, though — look for hilarious moments with Rebel Wilson’s amorous Mei Mei.
Another first for the franchise will be its villain: the paranormal bull Kai, played by the enormously talented J.K. Simmons. About his character, Simmons says:
“Let’s just say Kai has been away. Now that’s he’s back, he’s not happy about life in general. One thing he finds when he returns is that pandas make him particularly unhappy.”
He’s also not fond of the Furious Five warriors. Using two jade swords attached to long chains as his weapon of choice, Kai has two supernatural horns and leather armor, so expect a fearsome battle for our heroes and… humor?
Director Alessandro Carloni explains, “Kai wants revenge, and he’s a bitter, bitter guy. But when he becomes vulnerable, J.K. can make him hilarious.”
We’re intrigued by that to say the least! While we don’t see Kai in the trailer, we do see the first meeting between Po and Li, who hilariously don’t make the connection they’re father and son.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is set to be released on January 29, 2016.
Are you excited for this third film? What do you think of the trailer? Sound off in the comments!
