It has been since 2011 since there has been a Kung Fu Panda film, and Kung Fu Panda 3 feels long overdue as the original Kung Fu Panda debuted in 2008 with its sequel Kung Fu Panda 2 revealed three years later in 2011. It has been about five years since Po and his friends have been seen, which is odd as Kung Fu Panda 2 revealed that Po's Father was alive, a clear lead-in to a sequel. This is what is known about Kung Fu Panda 3 Release Date and News.
The trailer for Kung Fun Panda 3 shows that Po (Jack Black) does meet his father, Li Shan. There is also a quick teaser trailer where nothing is seen but a blank screen and heavy breathing as Li (Bryan Cranston) says that "I am your father". It's a clear homage to Star Wars, and Kung Fu Panda 3 will premiere on January 29, 2016, as Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens will still be making money in the theaters.
In fact, the reason that Kung Fu Panda 3 is being released in January (traditionally not a good time to release blockbusters in the theaters) was due to Star Wars being released at Christmas time. Otherwise, Kung Fu Panda 3 would have been getting some holiday money, but honestly, very little can compete with a Star Wars film.
That being said, Po's teammates are all back with Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan) Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross) and Mantis (Seth Rogen). In addition to Li Shan, there will also be other Panda characters introduced, included Mei Mei, voiced by Kate Hudson. According to IB Times, this particular panda character was going to be voiced by Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy from the Pitch Perfect movies) but an extension on Wilson's production schedule prevented her from voicing the role. MeiMei is predicted to be the love interest for Po in the third film, and she has been apparently promised to Po in an arranged marriage by Po's reunited family.
Mixed in with plot of Po reuniting with his fellow pandas and possible love story is also a storyline where Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells Po that he must learn to be a teacher. Po doesn't seem to want to be a teacher, but the antagonistic presence of Kai (J.K. Simmons) forces Po to train his village in the ways of Kung Fu to protect them.
Entertainment Weekly reveals that Kai is the first supernatural villain revealed in the series, and he is a definite step up from villains Tai Lung (a brawler) and Shen (a master planner). Kai uses some jade swords with chains as his main weapon, and he will be more than a match for Po, that is for sure.
Can Po and his newfound unexperienced panda family hack him? Find out in January 29, 2016, when "the weight is over".
