In new ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ Jack Black reconnects with an old friend

Sixteen years ago, Jack Black took on the role that became one of his all-time favorites.

As Po, the lovable panda with a big heart and ample martial arts skills, the actor described playing the role again as like reconnecting with an old friend.

Black’s journey as Po began when DreamWorks Animation co-founder and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg showed him an animated clip of a panda featuring the comedian’s voice from his breakout film.

“I was like: that is cool,” he said. “My voice weirdly does go with his panda body and this panda face. Let's do it. Let's party. It was simple as that, it's just sort of a match. It's like my voice had chemistry with that animal.”

In Kung Fu Panda’s new adventure, Po meets a thief named Zhen played by Awkwafina.

Asked if this means goodbye for Po, Black quipped: “I don't know what the future holds. I mean, Po in this movie is transitioning from Dragon Warrior to spiritual leader. So, that's just the beginning of a new chapter.”

The animated comedy film franchise is well-known for its humorous stories and exciting action scenes.

Awkwafina shared that apart from the film’s endearing and funny beats, she also has a lot of affection for her character’s journey of self-discovery and overcoming fear.

“Zhen is a deeply relatable character because she's just trying to get by with what she knows,” the actress said. “The world has taught her that it's hard to trust people, that things don't often have happy endings.”

She added: “It’s really a differing worldview to what Po has even though Po has his own struggle, but they're both orphans. And they have different perspectives that help each other.”

In recording together, the co-stars shared that they developed an easy rapport.

On what she learned from working with Black, Awkwafina said it was kindness.

“That it’s possible to still be a down to earth, totally cool and nice guy where the energy, that kind of energy affects everybody,” she said. “It really established a happy energy, which is a gift to be on a set like that.”

Apart from its original cast, “Kung Fu Panda 4” also welcomes new additions including Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan.