KUNG FU PANDA 4: Jack Black Shapes Up For Another Round In The Official Trailer

“Skadooshing” its way back into the cinema stratosphere is the Kung Fu Panda franchise with a fourth entry hitting theaters on March 8 from Universal/Dreamworks Animation. Directed by Mike Mitchell, Jack Black leads a VO cast that also included Awkwafina and Viola Davis, as well as Ian McShane reprising his role from the film as revealed by the new official trailer as of Wednesday.

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Golden Globe winner Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.

The cast also brings back Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, and Bryan Cranston, and adds Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan in a refreshing new role. Check out the trailer!