The third instalment in the beloved animated franchise has cast a trio of new voice actors, namely Bryan Cranston, Mads Mikkelsen and Bridesmaid’s Rebel Wilson. Jennifer Yuh Nelson will return to direct Kung Fu Panda 3 following her directorial success with the second film. With Jack Black and Angelina Jolie reprising their roles as Po and Tigress, respectively, the threequel isn’t exactly short of talent in the acting department. To keep our tongues wagging in excitement, Dreamworks Animations also offered a brief tease on the film’s direction:
“…follows Po, the chosen one, as he continues on his journey mastering the art of Kung Fu … and noodle slurping.”
Perhaps brief was an overstatment. Nonetheless the casting news is worth commending. Cranston and Mikkelsen are some of the finest acting talent working in the industry today and the fact that they pair will be working together in some capacity for Kung Fu Panda 3 is a prospect I’m looking forward too. Also, this isn’t Cranston’s first foray into computer animation considering that the Breaking Bad star was also part of 2012’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is said to host two unique villainous threats for our clumsy protagonist: one of which is supernatural and the other is closer to his home. Judging by this, you would imagine that Mikkelsen and Cranston would sweep into these roles faster than a kung-fu kick from Master Mantis. However, with Rebel Wilson also joining the production, the director may decide to toy with audience expectations and let her play the antagonist.
Who knows? At this stage, Kung Fu Panda has distinguished itself as a financially sound global hit for the studio – the first two films gathered a whopping $1.3 billion worldwide collectively – while also securing Oscar nominations for Best Animated Film in their individual years of release. Additionally, securing the likes of Cranston and Mikkelsen conveys the pedigree behind the studio’s much-loved animation.
Dreamworks Animations are set to serve up a steaming plate of awesomeness when Kung Fu Panda 3 hits theatres on December 23, 2015. While we wait, though, what are your thoughts on the latest casting?
