Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Kung Fu Panda 4!
Summary
- Po selects Zhen as the new Dragon Warrior in Kung Fu Panda 4, setting up a potential new trilogy for the franchise.
- Zhen's background and potential resonate with Po, leading to his decision despite other more qualified candidates.
- The future of the Kung Fu Panda franchise remains uncertain with Zhen taking over as the main character in potential future installments.
Kung Fu Panda 4's ending builds to him appointing a new Dragon Warrior.
The setup for a new Dragon Warrior retcon comes early on in the movie, as Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells Po that this is his decision to make. Po is tasked with finding his replacement as he's meant to move up to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. Although Po sees tryouts for the title, he doesn't select any of the appointed possibilities. It is not until he embarks on his mission to defeat The Chameleon (Viola Davis) that Po meets the animal who will be his replacement. Kung Fu Panda 4 leaves no doubt as to who the new Dragon Warrior will be.
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Zhen Becomes The New Dragon Warrior In Kung Fu Panda 4
By the very end of the movie, Po confirms that Zhen will be the new Dragon Warrior for the franchise. Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina, is a sly fox and criminal from Juniper City who demonstrates her great kung fu abilities early on when she breaks into the Jade Palace. She then s Po on his mission to find The Chameleon, although he does not know she is secretly working for the Kung Fu Panda movie villain to get the Staff of Wisdom. Po and Zhen develop a strong bond over the course of their adventure, leading to his decision.
Po choosing Zhen to be the new Dragon Warrior is solidified in Kung Fu Panda 4's ending when he tells this to Master Shifu. Although Zhen is still facing criminal charges and jail time for breaking into the Jade Palace, Po knows that she is the right choice to be his replacement. Shifu's hesitation is ultimately set aside to honor Po's wishes. This leaves Po to begin Zhen's training to be Dragon Warrior, which is how the Furious Five return in Kung Fu Panda 4's credits to help teach her.
Why Po Chooses Zhen To Be The Next Dragon Warrior
The reason why Po's decision to find the next Dragon Warrior ultimately ends with him picking Zhen is understandable for him. She certainly is not the obvious choice, as some of the characters who tried out for the position would be more qualified. Even one of the Furious Five would be a more natural selection to be the new Dragon Warrior. However, Po knows firsthand the true meaning of the title and that a hero fit for the position can come from the most unlikely place.
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Po clearly sees a lot of himself in Zhen. She is an orphan who was taken in by someone else at a young age, just like he was. Zhen is also incredibly resourceful and loyal. They might have very different backgrounds, or even kung fu abilities, before becoming Dragon Warrior, but that does not scare Po. Zhen demonstrates her true character throughout Kung Fu Panda 4. Her criminal days are behind her and she's ready to do good. Her ability to use the Staff of Wisdom to help defeat The Chameleon is a huge sign of her potential.
Is Zhen Replacing Po As The Lead Of The Kung Fu Panda Franchise?
Now that Kung Fu Panda 4 appoints the new Dragon Warrior, what this means for the focus of the franchise's future is unclear. The movies have always revolved around the Dragon Warrior because Po is the central character and that was his title. Zhen has now replaced Po in regard to that title. If the Kung Fu Panda movies want to keep the Dragon Warrior as the main character, then Zhen is positioned to be the franchise's lead in any future installments. This would mean a radical shift is coming if Kung Fu Panda 5 happens.
DreamWorks has not announced Kung Fu Panda 5 yet, but a new trilogy beginning with Kung Fu Panda 4 was previously teased.
Even if Zhen does replace Po to be the main character in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, it would be shocking if the lovable panda was not still featured. Zhen might be the new Dragon Warrior, but she does not know everything and will still need advice and guidance. This could mean that Po will slide into more of a ing role, taking the place that Master Oogway or Master Shifu have served for him. Po's smaller role would be an option for the franchise to keep him around but still shift the focus to a new character in Zhen.
However, there is also the very real possibility that Po remains the lead of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. These movies are called Kung Fu Panda, not Kung Fu Zhen or Kung Fu Fox, after all. It would be a strange move if Kung Fu Panda 5 happened and didn't feature a panda in the lead role. The marketing challenges alone might be reason enough to keep Po in the central role. Regardless of what happens, Kung Fu Panda 4 means that Zhen is bound to have a prominent role as the new Dragon Warrior going forward.
