Sixteen years after the first Kung Fu Panda, Jack Black returns as Po.
The actor has been in Auckland for a few months, busy filming the upcoming Minecraft movie but took time on Sunday to chat to various media outlets, as well as surprising fans at a special advance screening of Kung Fu Panda 4.
The fourth film in the animated saga sees Po tasked with finding a successor for his title of Dragon Warrior.
He teams up with the new character Zhen, voiced by his Jumanji: The Next Level co-star, Awkwafina to defeat the Chameleon, played by Oscar winner Viola Davis. Returning to the franchise as well are Dustin Hoffman, James Hong and Bryan Cranston as Po’s trio of father figures.
Reflecting on the success of the franchise, Jack praised the titular creature. “A panda is a beautiful creature, symmetrical. Just a gorgeous thing that happened in nature. Kind of a little miracle”.
Combining that with kung fu harkening back to the days of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan is a “winning combo” according to his “scientific breakdown”.
Po was one of two roles created for Jack Black, the other being Dewey Finn from School of Rock, another of Black’s signature roles.
“I guess the thing they have in common is that sort of innocence… kind of a sweet, childish-like naivete. His spirit of play and fun is actually like a superpower, and I think that’s kind of true in my life too.”
When asked about upcoming projects, Black played coy, saying that he treats every film he does these days as his last.
“That’s kind of the energy I like to bring to projects where I’m like ‘I’m gonna rock this one out like it’s the last one’.”
Black is set to return with his band Tenacious D when they tour New Zealand in July, but for now Kung Fu Panda 4 is playing in screens across Aotearoa over the school holidays.