After eight long years sinceKung Fu Panda 3was released,Kung Fu Panda 4is finally slated for a theatrical release on June 21, 2025. The latest entry in the popular animated franchise finds the lovable panda bear Po preparing to become the spiritual guide for The Valley of Peace. As Po sets out to find a suitable replacement to take the mantle of Dragon Warrior, a new sorceress named Chameleon will put Po to the test by rounding up former villains in the franchise.
With Netflix’s spinoff seriesKung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knightcompleting its three-season run in September 2023, it’s time to discover which characters are poised to appear inKung Fu Panda 4and single out the superb actors who will bring the animated characters to life. If nothing else, the cast of characters indicates a rousing reunion of some of the most iconic mammals and reptiles featured in the franchise thus far.
Kung Fu Panda 4
9Jack Black as Poe
In a role tailor-made for his comedic sensibilities, Jack Black returns as Po, the adorable panda bear in the upcoming sequel. Po is a martial arts enthusiast who is the adopted son of Mr. Ping and a student of Master Shifu. When Po isn’t tending to his insatiable appetite, he bravely protects the Valley of Peace from dangerous threats. Despite his cuddly demeanor, Po’s biggest cross to bear is overcoming his self-doubts and making his father proud.
Black is a comedic and dramatic dynamo who appeared in several ’90s movies before scoring his big breakout inHigh Fidelity. Black’s best work includes performances in Richard Linklater’sSchool of RockandBernie, Peter Jackson’sKing Kong, Ben Stiller’sTropic Thunder,and theJumanjifranchise. Aside fromKung Fu Panda 4, Black can be seen next in Eli Roth’supcoming video game adaptationofBorderlands.
8Awkwafina as Zhen
Awkwafina voices Zhen, a new character in the Kung Fu Panda universe. Zhen is a cunning fox and skilled thief who is trained by Po inKung Fu Panda 4to possibly become the next Dragon Warrior. According to Black at CinemaCon 2023, Zen has “plenty of promising abilities, but doesn’t quite like the idea of Po training them” (viaKung Fu Panda Fandom). As such, fans can expect hilarious bickering back and forth between the master and student as the two venture into the city.
Awkwafina has risen to the top of Hollywood’s A-list in recent years following her breakout TV show,Awkwafina is Nora From Queens. She’s since starred in everything fromShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsandCrazy Rich AsianstoThe FarewellandThe Little Mermaid. A talented voice actor to boot, Awkwafina’s performance as Sisu inRaya and the Last Dragonis sure to make an excellent double feature withKung Fu Panda 4.
7Jackie Chan as Monkey
The inimitable Jackie Chan voices Monkey in the movie, reprising his role from the three previous franchise entries. Monkey is a member of the Furious Five, a group of master martial artists who trained under Shifu at Jade Palace and have their own unique kung fu style. As a master of the Monkey technique, Monkey is one of the most well-respected fighters in China. While reluctant to accept Po as the Dragon Warrior at first, Monkey comes to accept the huggable panda as an equal.
Chan is a legendary actor known for performing injurious, death-defying stuntwork. With over 140 credits in his unparalleled career, Chan’s most notable Chinese movies includeDrunken Master,Police Story,Super Cop, and more. As an international superstar, Chan’s crossover work includes everything fromRumble in the Bronxand theRush Hourfranchise toShanghai NoonandThe Foreigner.
6Angelina Jolie as Tigress
A mainstay in the franchise, Angelina Jolie plays Tigress once more inKung Fu Panda 4. Tigress is a member of the Furious Five and is proficient in the Tiger style of kung fu fighting. Tigress grew up in an orphanage before being taken in and trained by Master Shifu at the Jade Palace. While Tigress was the most skeptical of Po achieving the title of Dragon Warrior, she evolved her stance and now fights beside him as a trusted ally.
One of the most famous movie stars alive, Jolie gained traction in Hollywood after starring in the cult-classicHackersin 1995. Four years later, Jolie earned an Oscar Award for her brilliant turn inthe ’90s movie,Girl, Interrupted. While best known for portraying larger-than-life characters likeMaleficentand Lara Croft, Jolie’s action-packed physicality in movies likeWantedandMr. & Mrs. Smithproves why she’s in a stratosphere of her own.
5Seth Rogen as Mantis
Seth Rogen returns to the franchise as Mantis, another member of the Furious Five. A master of the Mantis style of kung fu, the shapeshifting insect had to overcome his hyperactive energy as a child and learn to embrace patience. Whereas Tigress and Monkey were unsure of Po’s potential to become the Dragon Warrior, Mantis supported Po’s role in the Valley of Peace and befriended sooner than the others.
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Rogen is a famous comedic and dramatic actor who famously got his start in Judd Apatow’sFreaks and Geeks. Although he’s most famous for starring in such hit comedies asThe 40-Year-Old Virgin,Superbad, andPineapple Express, Rogen has made deliberate strides to improve his dramatic chops by starring in everything fromJobstoThe Fabelmans. Rogen and Jack Black also recently voiced Donkey Kong and Bowser inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.
4Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu
Dustin Hoffman reprises his role as Master Shifu inKung Fu Panda 4. As alluded to, Master Shifu is the martial arts instructor at Jade Palace who is responsible for teaching Po and the Furious Five all they know about kung fu. After his prized pupil Tai Lung betrayed him en route to becoming the Dragon Warrior, Shifu detested the idea of Po replacing him. Over time, Master Shifu embraces Po’s flaws and becomes his mentor.
Hoffman is a two-time Oscar-winning Hollywood legend who earned such awards for his excellent performances inKramer vs. KramerandRain Man, respectively. Hoffman also earned Academy Award nods for such all-timegreat movies as Mike Nichols’The Graduate, John Schlesinger’sMidnight Cowboy, Sydney Pollack’sTootsie, and Barry Levinson’sWag the Dog. BeyondKung Fu Panda 4, Hoffman is set to star next in Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolis.
3Lucy Liu as Viper
Lucy Liu voices Viper in the animated sequel. Viper is also a member of the Furious Five who trained under Master Shifu at Jade Palace. Thanks to her training and her background as the daughter of the Great Viper Master and a skilled ribbon dancer, Viper is highly adept at the Viper style of kung fu combat. Along with Mantis, Viper is the friendliest member of the five, who instantly welcomes Po into the mix.
Liu is a famous actor, director, and producer who has appeared in some of the most beloved movies and TV shows on record. After earning a Primetime Emmy nod for her work onAlly McBeal, Liu notably went on to star in Rob Marshall’s Oscar-winning musicalChicago, Quentin Tarantino’sKill Bill, theCharlie’s Angelsfranchise, and most recently,Shazam 2. However, many fans will recognize Liu as Joan Watson from the long-running mystery series,Elementary.
2David Cross as Crane
David Cross reprises his role as Crane inKung Fu Panda 4. Crane is the final member of The Furious Five who learned how to defeat enemies under Shifu’s tutelage by using the Crane style of kung fu. Crane started his journey as a custodian at the Le Da Kung Fu Academy, slowly overcoming his lack of confidence to become a fierce warrior at Jade Palace. While slow to accept Po as one of his own, Crane now functions as one of the panda’s closest allies.
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Cross is a stand-up comedian and talented actor who notably launched his career alongside Bob Odenkirk in HBO’s sketch comedy series,Mr. Show. Although most fans will recognize Cross for playing Tobias Funke in the hit sitcom,Arrested Development, his previous voice work includesMegamind,Curious George,Archer,and perhaps the funniest of all,Sorry to Bother You.
1Viola Davis as The Chameleon
The primary villain inKung Fu Panda 4will be known as Chameleon and will be played by Viola Davis. According toKung Fu Panda Fandom,Chameleon is described as a female sorceress who possesses shapeshifting skills and the ability to summon living beings from the past. Chameleon will presumably use her powers to bring back former villains inthe Kung Fu Panda franchisethat Po and the Furious Five have faced previously, including Master Shifu’s star student Tai Lung.
According to Jack Black during a panel interview at CinemaCon 2023, Chameleon is “totally scary and totally unfair,” suggesting that the new antagonist will use dirty tactics to defeat Po and the Furious Five. While it’s unfortunate that the actor playing Chameleon has yet to be revealed, the character will mark the first female villain in the franchise to date. Stay tuned to find out who plays Chameleon before the movie comes out in March 2024.
