Summary

• The Kung Fu Panda 4 cast features returning actors from previous films and familiar stars, like Awkwafina, voicing exciting new characters.
• The fourth movie's story follows Po and his new sidekick, Zhen, in a quest to stop the villainous Chameleon.
• Master Shifu and other ing characters from past films will also play crucial roles in Kung Fu Panda 4.

the release of Kung Fu Panda 4 on March 8, 2024, it's clear why the following voice actors were chosen for their parts (and why many returned to the franchise).

The Kung Fu Panda franchise tells the story of a panda named Po, whose interest in martial arts finds him selected to be the Dragon Warrior, a legendary prodigy said to have unlimited power, in the first movie. The film series chronicles his adventures throughout this fictional world, battling old enemies and making new friends along the way. As the trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 teased before the movie was released, the animated martial arts comedy film features Po teaming up with a new sidekick, Zhen, as they go on an adventure to stop the villainous shapeshifter, the Chameleon.

Jack Black As Po

Actor: Jack Black, 54, was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1969. The actor is best known for his work within the comedy genre. Black's breakout role was in 2000's High Fidelity, with some of his other most famous roles including the enthusiastic teacher Dewey Finn in School of Rock, the titular wrestler in Nacho Libre, the video game character Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon in the Jumanji movies, and photographer Carl Denham in Peter Jackson's King Kong remake. He also voiced the villain Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Mars Attacks! (1996), Tenacious D (1997-2000), High Fidelity (2000), School of Rock (2003), Shark Tale (2004), King Kong (2005), Nacho Libre (2006), Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006), Kung Fu Panda (2008), Tropic Thunder (2008), Goosebumps (2015), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), The Mandalorian (2023), Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024).

Character: Po is the protagonist of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and, as always, the story in Kung Fu Panda 4 is told from his perspective. In previous films, Po was the Dragon Warrior of the Valley of Peace, meaning it was his responsibility to protect the town and keep away any evil spirits. However, the third movie saw Po training a new generation of pandas in martial arts. Consequently, he adopts a more mentor-focused role in Kung Fu Panda 4, which also features Po being chosen as the new Spiritual Leader, propelling him on a journey to find a new Dragon Warrior.

Awkwafina As Zhen

Actor: Awkwafina, 35, was born in Stony Brooks, New York, in 1988. Her role as Zhen adds to her long list of voice performances for the actress, who previously played Skuttle in 2023's The Little Mermaid, Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon, and Otto in The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run. Awkwafina has also provided critically acclaimed performances in live-action dramas, such as The Farewell, where she played protagonist Billi. On top of that, she famously starred as the title character's best friend, Katy, in the MCU's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Tawk (2015-2017), Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), Ocean's 8 (2018), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), The Farewell (2019), The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020-present), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), The Bad Guys (2022), Renfield (2023), The Little Mermaid (2023), Quiz Lady (2023), Migration (2023), Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024).

Character: Awkwafina is one of the newcomers in Kung Fu Panda 4, and she plays a corsac fox named Zhen, with her character taking on the role of Po's sidekick in the fourth film's story. Zhen is a master thief with wanted posters plastered all over town, causing her to have an intriguing and complicated dynamic with the soon-to-be former Dragon Warrior. Nevertheless, Zhen is by Po's side as he faces off against The Chameleon and seeks his replacement as the Dragon Warrior.

Viola Davis As The Chameleon

Actor: Viola Davis, 58, was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina, in 1965. Viola Davis started as a stage actor, with her finding much success in various plays throughout the start of her career. Davis' breakout role was in 2008's Doubt, and although it was small, it left a big enough impression to get her nominated for Best ing Actress at the Academy Awards. Davis has continued to have significant roles in art films like Fences and major franchises like the DCU and now Kung Fu Panda.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Doubt (2008), The Help (2011), Prisoners (2013), How to Get Away With Murder (2014-2020), Suicide Squad (2016), Fences (2016), Widows (2018), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), Peacemaker (2022), The Woman King (2022), Black Adam (2022), Air (2023), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024).

Character: Viola Davis voices The Chameleon, a chameleon who serves as Kung Fu Panda 4's new villain. The Chameleon is a powerful shape-shifting sorceress who has the ability to absorb the abilities of others, making her one of Po's deadliest enemies yet. The Chameleon's mission is to absorb the spirits of past villains, like Tai Lung in Kung Fu Panda 4, giving her the power to take down the Dragon Warrior and accomplish her evil desires.

Dustin Hoffman As Master Shifu

Actor: Dustin Hoffman, 86, was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937. Hoffman had his big break as the star of 1967's The Graduate, with him quickly going on to star in other popular art films like Midnight Cowboy and All the President's Men. Hoffman's appearances in films have become more sparse in the past few decades, but the first Kung Fu Panda movie featured a rare voice role for the actor, with him reprising his character in all four films so far.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: The Graduate (1967), Midnight Cowboy (1969), All The President's Men (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Tootsie (1982), Rain Man (1988), Meet the Fockers (2004), Kung Fu Panda (2008), Chef (2014), Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024).

Character: Hoffman's Master Shifu is one of the main characters in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, as he is a red panda who is the senior master of the Jade Palace. Although Shifu initially doubted Po's potential as the Dragon Warrior in the first film, he eventually accepted it and became a faithful ally of the titular panda. Shifu plays a primary role in Kung Fu Panda 4, helping Po continue his spiritual journey as his master.

Kung Fu Panda 4's ing Characters

Kung Fu Panda 4 features various ing characters, with many reprising their roles from the previous films. James Hong returns as Mr. Ping, a Chinese goose and Po's adoptive father. Bryan Cranston reprises his role as Li Shan, a giant panda and Po's biological father. Finally, Ian McShane returns as Tai Lung, a snow leopard who was Shifu's former disciple and the first movie's villain.

The cast of the 2024 animated martial arts comedy film also includes newcomers like Ke Huy Quan as Han, a Sunda pangolin and the leader of a den of thieves; Lori Tan Chinn as Granny Boar, an elderly boar; Ronny Chieng as Captain Fish, a green arowana; and MrBeast as Panda Pig. Unfortunately, the Furious Five do not appear in Kung Fu Panda 4, despite Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane, and Mantis playing pivotal roles in past movies in the franchise.